Pieris Pharmaceuticals Reports Full-Year 2022 Financial Results and Business Updates
Pieris Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:PIRS) reported its financial results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, alongside updates on its pipeline. The company is advancing clinical programs, including elarekibep for asthma, with data expected mid-2024 due to increased resources from AstraZeneca. PRS-220, targeting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is in Phase 1 studies with results anticipated in H2 2023. Despite a cash decrease to $59.2 million, R&D expenses dropped to $53 million, reflecting cost-effective operations. The net loss narrowed to $33.3 million or $(0.45) per share, down from $45.7 million or $(0.71) per share in 2021.
- AstraZeneca's increased resources for elarekibep Phase 2a study.
- Net loss reduced to $33.3 million or $(0.45) per share, improved from prior year.
- Successful advancement of multiple therapeutic programs.
- Cash position decreased to $59.2 million from $117.8 million due to operational funding.
- R&D expenses remain high at $53 million despite a decrease from the previous year.
COMPANY TO HOST AN INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL TODAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023, AT 8:00 AM EDT
- Continued advancement of pipeline, including two clinical-stage inhaled respiratory programs and additional therapeutic programs for serious diseases
- Elarekibep (PRS-060/AZD1402) Phase 2a study for asthma continues to be enrolled by AstraZeneca; clinical data anticipated by mid-2024
- PRS-220, inhaled Anticalin protein for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), continues in Phase 1 study; topline results expected in the second half of this year
- PRS-400, targeting muco-obstructive respiratory disease, advances toward development candidate nomination; additional preclinical data expected this year
BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2023 / Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PIRS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel biotherapeutics through its proprietary Anticalin® technology platform for respiratory diseases, cancer, and other indications, reported financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and provided a business update.
"Pieris continues to advance potentially transformative clinical and preclinical programs, while remaining committed to cost-effective operations. Our top priority is to obtain data from the elarekibep Phase 2a study in asthma. We are pleased that our partner and study sponsor, AstraZeneca, is significantly increasing operational resources to complete the trial. As an inhaled therapeutic, elarekibep offers the promise of a superior product profile compared to currently available injectable drugs and further validation of our broader respiratory franchise," said Stephen S. Yoder, President and CEO of Pieris. "Respiratory diseases such as asthma, IPF and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are underserved by the biopharma industry despite high mortality rates, impaired quality of life, and a significant burden on the healthcare system. We believe Pieris is well positioned to develop differentiated inhaled biologics medicines that could fundamentally alter how respiratory diseases are managed.
"Alongside our lead program, elarekibep, Pieris is advancing additional clinical and preclinical programs that could result in meaningful new medicines. We are evaluating opportunities to support the long-term development of these promising therapeutic candidates."
Respiratory Pipeline:
- Elarekibep and AstraZeneca Collaboration: Enrollment is ongoing in the multi-center, placebo-controlled Phase 2a study of dry powder inhaler-formulated elarekibep, an IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma. Topline results measuring placebo-adjusted FEV1 improvement at four weeks are now expected to be reported by the middle of 2024 based on AstraZeneca's most recent projections. AstraZeneca has communicated to the Company that completion of the Phase 2a study remains an important priority and that additional resources have been provided to achieve study completion, including a commitment to adding several new countries and a significant number of additional clinical sites, bringing the total number to more than 100 sites.
Elarekibep is validated by dupilumab, an FDA-approved inhibitor of IL-4Rα, that has demonstrated reduced levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and clinical efficacy in uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma. Furthermore, recently reported dupilumab Phase 3 study results have shown efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previously reported elarekibep Phase 1 results demonstrated reduced FeNO levels in mild asthma patients, and a favorable safety profile.
Pieris retains co-development and U.S. co-commercialization rights for elarekibep, exercisable following completion of the ongoing Phase 2a study. Beyond elarekibep, Pieris continues to develop two preclinical programs with AstraZeneca for which it also retains co-development and U.S. co-commercialization options.
- PRS-220: Pieris continues the development of an inhaled Anticalin protein targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) for the treatment of IPF and other fibrotic lung diseases. In preclinical models, PRS-220 demonstrated superior on-target potency compared to pamrevlumab, an intravenously infused CTGF antagonist in late-stage clinical development. The Company believes that the inhaled route of administration allows for superior lung exposure. These attributes, combined with the convenience of at-home administration via inhalation, result in PRS-220 having best-in-class potential.
The Company is currently dosing healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 study of PRS-220 and expects to report results in the second half of this year. Pieris continues to benefit from a meaningful grant from the Bavarian government, which supports early-stage development of this program.
- PRS-400: Pieris continues to advance PRS-400, an inhaled anti-Jagged-1 Anticalin therapeutic program with potential in a wide range of respiratory diseases driven by mucus hypersecretion. PRS-400 is designed to exert clinical activity by disrupting mucus-mediated pathology in the airways, while avoiding inhibition of healthy mucus production outside of the lungs. Previously presented preclinical data demonstrate that PRS-400 potently inhibits Jagged-1-induced Notch 2 signaling in relevant tissue in the lung. In patients with muco-obstructive respiratory diseases, such as those living with inadequately controlled COPD with chronic bronchitis, PRS-400 has potential to improve clinical outcomes and improve quality of life. PRS-400 is advancing toward development candidate nomination later this year.
Immuno-Oncology Pipeline:
Pieris's immuno-oncology pipeline continues to progress in a cost-efficient manner with the benefit of its partners. The Company believes that multiple opportunities exist to generate value from this portfolio based on promising preclinical and clinical data.
- PRS-344/S095012 and Servier Collaboration: Pieris and Servier continue to enroll the escalation portion of the Phase 1/2 study of PRS-344/S095012, a 4-1BB/PD-L1 bispecific MabcalinTM (antibody-Anticalin protein) compound for the treatment of solid tumors, for which Pieris holds full U.S. rights and will receive development milestones and royalties on ex-U.S. sales by Servier. Additionally, Servier discontinued development of PRS-352/S095025, an PD-L1/OX40 bispecific Mabcalin compound, for strategic reasons.
- Seagen Collaboration: In January 2023, Seagen initiated a Phase 1 study for SGN-BB228 (also known as PRS-346), triggering a
$5 million milestone payment to Pieris. SGN-BB228 is a first-in-class CD228/4-1BB bispecific antibody-Anticalin compound designed to provide a potent costimulatory bridge between tumor-specific T cells and CD228-expressing tumor cells. Pieris and Seagen continue to collaborate on two other undisclosed bispecific programs.
- PRS-342/BOS-342: Boston Pharmaceuticals continues to advance PRS-342/BOS-342, a 4-1BB/GPC3 bispecific Mabcalin compound, toward the clinic, with Phase 1 expected to begin in the coming months.
Fiscal Year End Financial Update:
Cash Position - Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled
R&D Expense - R&D expenses were
G&A Expense - G&A expenses were
Other Income - For the year ended December 31, 2022,
Net Loss - Net loss was
Conference Call:
Pieris management will host a conference call beginning at 8:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, to discuss the full-year financial results and provide a corporate update. Individuals can join the call by dialing 877-407-8920 (Toll Free US & Canada) or +1 412-902-1010 (International) at least five minutes prior to the start of the call. Alternatively, a listen-only audio webcast of the call can be accessed here.
For those unable to participate in the conference call or listen to the webcast, a replay will be available on the Investors section of the Company's website, www.pieris.com.
About Pieris Pharmaceuticals:
Pieris is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that combines leading protein engineering capabilities and deep understanding into molecular drivers of disease to develop inhaled medicines that drive local biology to produce superior clinical outcomes for patients. Our pipeline is focused on inhalable Anticalin proteins to treat respiratory diseases and locally-activated bispecifics for immuno-oncology. Proprietary to Pieris, Anticalin proteins are a novel class of therapeutics validated in the clinic and by strong partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies. For more information, visit www.pieris.com.
Forward-looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, our expected cash runway; our product candidates clinical and therapeutic potential in their intended indications; the advancement of our proprietary and co-development programs into and through the clinic and the expected timing for reporting data; the receipt of royalty and/or milestone payments provided for in our collaboration agreements; making IND filings or achieving other milestones related to our programs, including elarekibep, PRS-220, PRS-400, PRS-344/S095012, SGN-BB228 and PRS-342/BOS-342; the therapeutic potential of our Anticalin platform; the potential addressable market for our product candidates; our continued progress in the area of co-stim bispecifics and inhaled therapeutics; and the advancement and funding of our developmental programs generally. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statement due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the amounts of anticipated funding actually received for our continued development programs and our actual reductions in spending as compared to anticipated cost reductions; our ability to raise the additional funding we will need to continue to pursue our business and product development plans; the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies, including in collaboration with other parties, and operating as a development stage company; our ability to develop, complete clinical trials for, obtain approvals for and commercialize any of our product candidates, including our ability to recruit and enroll patients in our studies; competition in the industry in which we operate; delays or disruptions due to COVID-19 or geopolitical issues, including the conflict in Ukraine; and market conditions. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure set forth in the reports and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at www.sec.gov, including, without limitation, the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and subsequent filings with the SEC.
Investor Relations Contact:
Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Investors@pieris.com
PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
| December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 38,635 | $ | 117,764 | ||||
Short term investments | 20,534 | - | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 5,810 | 3,313 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 8,445 | 6,548 | ||||||
Total current assets | 73,424 | 127,625 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 16,992 | 19,122 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 3,705 | 3,909 | ||||||
Other non-current assets | 1,369 | 2,904 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 95,490 | $ | 153,560 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 4,154 | $ | 8,609 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 11,605 | 16,836 | ||||||
Deferred revenue, current portion | 20,824 | 25,116 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 36,583 | 50,561 | ||||||
Deferred revenue, net of current portion | 18,734 | 38,403 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 12,244 | 13,841 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 67,561 | 102,805 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 27,929 | 50,755 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 95,490 | $ | 153,560 | ||||
PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 25,902 | $ | 31,418 | ||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Research and development | 52,982 | 66,656 | ||||||
General and administrative | 16,394 | 16,593 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 69,376 | 83,249 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (43,474 | ) | (51,831 | ) | ||||
Interest income | 721 | 4 | ||||||
Grant income | 8,173 | 3,685 | ||||||
Other income (expense), net | 1,303 | 2,404 | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (33,277 | ) | $ | (45,738 | ) | ||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.71 | ) | ||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 74,172 | 64,547 | ||||||
SOURCE: Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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