Pieris Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
Pieris Pharmaceuticals reported its Q2 2022 financial results, revealing a net loss of $10.3 million, or $(0.14) per share, an improvement from a loss of $15.5 million in Q2 2021. The company is adjusting its PRS-060/AZD1402 trial design to boost enrollment and aims for topline results by Q3 2023. Pieris will cease enrollment in the cinrebafusp alfa study to prioritize resources. The company has submitted regulatory filings for PRS-220 and anticipates dosing the first patient later this year, with cash reserves expected to fund operations until Q2 2024.
- Cash runway extended to Q2 2024.
- Net loss decreased from $15.5 million to $10.3 million year-over-year.
- Submission for PRS-220 regulatory clearance achieved.
- Ceased enrollment in cinrebafusp alfa (PRS-343) despite initial clinical benefits.
- Ongoing PRS-060/AZD1402 study facing enrollment delays due to COVID-19.
COMPANY TO HOST AN INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022 AT 8:00 AM EDT
- Adjustments to PRS-060/AZD1402 phase 2 study design boost enrollment rate and facilitate a topline readout by 3Q23
- Cinrebafusp alfa (PRS-343) demonstrating clinical benefit in HER2-expressing gastric cancer patients, but Company will cease enrollment to focus its resources
- First-in-human regulatory submission for PRS-220 achieved, with first subject dosing planned following regulatory clearance
- Escalation of PRS-344/S095012 in collaboration with Servier continues
- AstraZeneca extends research collaboration, focusing on two discovery-stage programs with Pieris retaining co-development and U.S. co-commercialization options on both programs
- Strategic pipeline prioritization results in cash reach to the second quarter of 2024
BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2022 / 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 second quarter of 2022 ended June 30, 2022, and provided an update on the Company's recent and anticipated future developments.
"AstraZeneca's deep support of PRS-060/AZD1402 and the Anticalin platform continues and has resulted in thoughtful adjustments to the PRS-060/AZD1402 phase 2a study design, allowing us to enroll patients amidst the challenges presented by COVID-19 precautions, as well as an extension of our research collaboration for two earlier-stage programs," said Stephen S. Yoder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pieris. "Since the PRS-060/AZD1402 phase 2 study will take more time to enroll than originally planned, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to discontinue cinrebafusp alfa (PRS-343), despite showing clear single-agent activity in phase 1 and meaningful clinical benefit in the ongoing phase 2 study in HER2-expressing gastric cancer patients. We will continue the cost-effective development of PRS-344/S095012, our 4-1BB/PD-L1 bispecific co-developed with Servier, and PRS-220, our fully proprietary inhaled CTGF antagonist that has the generous grant support from the Bavarian government, through key clinical readouts over the next twelve months. With a more focused pipeline and co-funding mechanisms in place for our most advanced assets, we are better positioned to deliver on our overall pipeline objectives in 2023, retain a leadership position in both inhaled respiratory medicines and 4-1BB biology, and now project that our cash runway extends into the second quarter of 2024."
- PRS-060/AZD1402 and AstraZeneca Collaboration: AstraZeneca continues to enroll part 2a (efficacy of 1 mg and 3 mg cohorts) and part 1b (safety of 10 mg cohort) of the multi-center, placebo-controlled phase 2a study of dry powder inhaler-formulated PRS-060/AZD1402, an IL-4 receptor alpha inhibitor Pieris is developing with AstraZeneca for the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma. AstraZeneca conducted a reforecast of the study, which has taken into account the global challenges of recruiting for respiratory clinical trials caused by the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, is broadening enrollment criteria to facilitate recruitment of the study, and plans to focus on the 3 mg cohort for the efficacy readout. Topline results are now expected to be reported by the third quarter of 2023. Upon delivery of these results, Pieris may choose to exercise its co-development option. Separately, Pieris will have a future option to co-commercialize PRS-060/AZD1402 in the United States. Beyond PRS-060/AZD1402, Pieris continues to work on two discovery-stage programs with AstraZeneca, for which the research term was recently extended. Pieris retains co-development and U.S. co-commercialization options for these two programs.
- Cinrebafusp Alfa (PRS-343): Cinrebafusp alfa, a 4-1BB/HER2 Anticalin-based bispecific, has demonstrated clinical benefit in phase 1 studies, including single-agent activity in a monotherapy setting, and in the phase 2 study in HER2-expressing gastric cancer, giving the Company confidence in its broader 4-1BB franchise. However, Pieris will cease further enrollment in the ongoing two-arm, multicenter, open-label phase 2 study as part of a strategic pipeline prioritization to focus its resources.
- 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 Anticalin-based bispecific for the treatment of solid tumors for which Pieris holds full U.S. rights and will receive royalties on ex-U.S. sales by Servier. The companies expect to initiate expansion cohorts in jointly-vetted indications next year. Additionally, Servier is continuing development of PRS-352/S095025, an OX40/PD-L1 bispecific.
- PRS-220: Pieris has submitted the first regulatory filing for PRS-220, a proprietary inhaled Anticalin protein targeting connective tissue growth factor for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The Company expects to dose the first healthy volunteer in a phase 1 study later this year and to report the outcome from the study next year.
- PRS-342/BOS-342: Boston Pharmaceuticals continues to advance PRS-342/BOS-342, a 4-1BB/GPC3 bispecific, towards the clinic, with phase 1 expected to begin in the first half of 2023.
- Seagen Collaboration: Seagen continues development of two undisclosed bispecific programs as part of its immuno-oncology collaboration with the Company. Pieris has a U.S. co-promotion option for one program in the collaboration.
Second Quarter 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 quarter ended June 30, 2022,
Net Loss - Net loss was
Conference Call:
Pieris management will host a conference call beginning at 8:00 AM EDT on Thursday, August 4, 2022, to discuss the second quarter financial results and provide a corporate update. Individuals can join the call by dialing (800) 285-6670 (Toll Free US & Canada) or (713) 481-1320 (International). 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 medicines that drive local biology to produce superior clinical outcomes for patients. Our pipeline includes 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 respiratory and immuno-oncology focused 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; the potential for Pieris' development programs such as PRS-060/AZD1402, PRS-344/S095012 and PRS-220 to address our core focus areas such as respiratory diseases and immuno-oncology; 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 PRS-060/AZD1402, PRS-220, PRS-344/S095012, PRS-352/S095025 and PRS-342/BOS-342; the therapeutic potential of our Anticalin platform; our continued progress in the areas 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 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 available at www.sec.gov, including, without limitation, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Investor Relations Contact:
Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Maria Kelman
Executive Director, Investor Relations
+1 857 362 9635
kelman@pieris.com
PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
| June 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 54,257 | $ | 117,764 | ||||
Short term investments | 26,679 | - | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 1,264 | 3,313 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 8,704 | 6,548 | ||||||
Total current assets | 90,904 | 127,625 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 17,430 | 19,122 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 3,617 | 3,909 | ||||||
Other non-current assets | 2,358 | 2,904 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 114,309 | $ | 153,560 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders??? equity: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,898 | $ | 8,609 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 10,785 | 16,836 | ||||||
Deferred revenue, current portion | 22,863 | 25,116 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 35,546 | 50,561 | ||||||
Deferred revenue, net of current portion | 22,063 | 38,403 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 12,335 | 13,841 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 69,944 | 102,805 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 44,365 | 50,755 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 114,309 | $ | 153,560 | ||||
PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 3,698 | $ | 3,285 | $ | 14,686 | $ | 18,918 | ||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Research and development | 11,947 | 15,800 | 26,013 | 32,362 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 4,081 | 4,246 | 8,460 | 8,376 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 16,028 | 20,046 | 34,473 | 40,738 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (12,330 | ) | (16,761 | ) | (19,787 | ) | (21,820 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income | 132 | 3 | 129 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Grant income | 1,184 | 796 | 3,314 | 796 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 676 | 464 | 905 | 1,348 | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (10,338 | ) | $ | (15,498 | ) | $ | (15,439 | ) | $ | (19,670 | ) | ||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.21 | ) | $ | (0.33 | ) | ||||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 74,125 | 61,905 | 73,919 | 59,116 | ||||||||||||
SOURCE: Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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