Prelude Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated (Nasdaq: PRLD) reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, highlighting progress in clinical development of lead drug candidates, PRT3789 and PRT2527. Operational leadership was strengthened by new hires. The company's cash runway extends into 2026 with $201.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of March 31, 2024.
Operational momentum in clinical development of lead drug candidates
Strengthened leadership team with new hires for operational capabilities
Healthy cash position with a cash runway into 2026
Increased R&D expenses for the first quarter of 2024
Net loss of $31.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024
Non-cash expenses related to share-based payments impacting net loss
Insights
Upon closer examination, Prelude Therapeutics' reported increase in Research & Development (R&D) expenses from
On the flip side, a minor decrease in General & Administrative (G&A) expenses from
Prelude's reaffirmation of on-track clinical milestones for its leading drug candidates, PRT3789 and PRT2527, is a positive indicator, suggesting a commitment to meet previously set goals and timelines in a sector where delays are common. The introduction of Sean Brusky and Robert Doody into high-level operational roles may enhance investor relations and business strategy, potentially increasing market confidence.
Additionally, the clinical progress of PRT3789 in addressing SMARCA4 mutations—a subset of cancer with limited treatment options—is a compelling narrative. If successful, this drug could corner a market niche, benefiting from 'orphan drug' status and associated regulatory incentives. For PRT2527, its selectivity as a CDK9 inhibitor positions it favorably against competitors, presuming clinical data supports its efficacy and safety profiles.
The strategic focus on SMARCA2 degradation and CDK9 inhibition reflects a targeted approach to oncology, honing in on mechanisms with unmet clinical needs. The progress toward Phase 1 data for PRT3789 and PRT2527 is crucial, as early indications of efficacy can be a major catalyst for investor enthusiasm and can lay the groundwork for future partnerships or funding opportunities.
The differentiation of PRT7732 due to its oral bioavailability could be a game-changer, offering increased patient convenience and adherence. The therapeutic potential appears promising, given the landscape of current treatment options. However, without concrete data, potential benefits remain speculative at this stage.
First-in-class IV SMARCA2 degrader, PRT3789 and potentially best-in-class CDK9 inhibitor, PRT2527 remain on track to generate initial proof-of-concept data in 2024
New preclinical data presented at AACR 2024 included first characterization of PRT7732, a highly-selective, orally bioavailable SMARCA2 degrader
Operational leadership capabilities further strengthened by recent hires Chief Business Officer Sean Brusky and Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Robert Doody
Current cash runway into 2026 with
WILMINGTON, Del., May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated (Nasdaq: PRLD), a clinical-stage precision oncology company, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and provided an update on recent clinical development pipeline and other corporate developments.
“The first quarter of this year was marked by growing momentum for Prelude, led by the continued clinical progress of our two lead drug candidates, PRT3789, a highly-selective, first-in-class SMARCA2 degrader and PRT2527, a potentially best-in-class CDK9 inhibitor,” stated Kris Vaddi, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Prelude. “We are on track to present initial Phase 1 data for both compounds in the second half of this year and to advance both into the next phase of development in cancers with patients who are in need of safe and effective new therapies, provided the data are supportive.”
Dr. Vaddi continued, “In addition to the continued advancement of our clinical compounds, we strengthened our leadership team with the additions of Sean Brusky, our new Chief Business Officer and Robert Doody, our new head of Investor Relations, both of whom bring proven operational capabilities and important strategic insights to the Prelude team in anticipation of our expected progress and growth over the coming years.”
Clinical Program Updates and Upcoming Milestones
SMARCA2 degrader PRT3789 on track to complete monotherapy dose escalation mid- year and combination with docetaxel has been initiated; initial proof-of concept data expected in second half of 2024.
PRT3789 is a potent and highly selective, first-in-class SMARCA2 degrader, designed to be used in patients with a SMARCA4 mutation. Cancers with a SMARCA4 mutation represent a high unmet medical need. Patients with the SMARCA4 mutation have poor prognosis and limited treatment options.
PRT3789 is in Phase 1 clinical development in biomarker selected SMARCA4 mutant patients. Enrollment remains on track, and the Company expects to conclude monotherapy dose escalation mid-2024 and identify recommended Phase 2 dose. In addition, enrollment of patients into back-fill cohorts enriched for NSCLC and SMARCA4 loss-of-function mutations is ongoing. Objectives for this first Phase 1 clinical trial are to establish the safety and tolerability profile of PRT3789 as both monotherapy and in combination with docetaxel, evaluate activity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and determine a dose and potential indications for advancement into a registrational clinical trial.
Oral SMARCA2 degrader PRT7732 expected to enter Phase 1 clinical trial in the second half of 2024
Prelude’s discovery team has identified a series of highly selective and orally bioavailable SMARCA2 degraders. The lead oral molecule, PRT7732, is currently in investigational new drug (IND) enabling preclinical studies and on track to enter Phase 1 clinical development in the second half of 2024. PRT7732 is structurally distinct from PRT3789 and may provide clinically meaningful differences, including potential utility in earlier lines of therapy.
CDK9 inhibitor PRT2527 on track to complete monotherapy dose escalation mid-2024; initiated dosing in combination with zanubrutinib in first quarter of 2024; initial hematological proof-of-concept data expected in second half of 2024
PRT2527 is a potent and selective CDK9 inhibitor that has the potential to avoid off target toxicity. The Company is currently advancing PRT2527 as monotherapy in hematological indications such as B-cell malignancies and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and has initiated the combination with zanubrutinib in B-cell malignancies.
PRT2527 is currently in Phase 1 clinical development and is expected to complete monotherapy dose escalation in B-cell malignancies mid-year. A second cohort of patients with AML is expected to initiate in the first half of 2024.
2024 AACR Annual Meeting: Prelude participated in the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, presenting three preclinical poster presentations. New preclinical data was presented for the company’s highly selective oral SMARCA2 degrader, its potentially best-in-class CDK9 inhibitor, and its next-generation oral CDK4/6 inhibitor. Copies of this information can be found on the Company’s website under Publications - Prelude Therapeutics (preludetx.com).
Corporate Updates: In April 2024, Prelude appointed Sean Brusky to the newly created position of Chief Business Officer. Mr. Brusky joins Prelude from Pardes Biosciences where he served as both Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Business Officer. Prior to Pardes, Mr. Brusky served in roles of increasing seniority at Genentech/Roche, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Bain & Company.
Additionally, in April 2024, Prelude appointed Robert Doody to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Investor Relations. Mr. Doody most recently served as Head of Investor Relations at Aclaris Therapeutics. Prior to Aclaris Therapeutics, Mr. Doody served as Investor Relations Lead at Provention Bio, Idera Pharmaceuticals and ViroPharma Incorporated.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2024 were
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses:
For the first quarter of 2024, R&D expense increased to
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses:
For the first quarter of 2024, G&A expenses decreased to
Net Loss:
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net loss was
About Prelude Therapeutics
Prelude Therapeutics is a clinical-stage precision oncology company developing innovative drug candidates targeting critical cancer cell pathways. The Company’s diverse pipeline is comprised of highly differentiated, potentially best-in-class proprietary small molecule compounds aimed at addressing clinically validated pathways for cancers with selectable underserved patients. Prelude’s pipeline includes three candidates currently in clinical development: an IV administered, potent and highly selective SMARCA2 degrader, PRT3789, a potent and highly selective CDK9 inhibitor, PRT2527, and a next generation CDK4/6 inhibitor, PRT3645. Prelude is also developing a potent, highly selective, orally bioavailable SMARCA2 degrader, PRT7732. The company is also collaborating with AbCellera to jointly discover, develop and commercialize up to five precision, next generation antibody drug conjugate (ADC) products combining AbCellera’s antibody discovery and development engine with Prelude’s expertise in medicinal chemistry and drug development. For more information, visit preludetx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, anticipated discovery, preclinical and clinical development activities for Prelude’s product candidates, the potential safety, efficacy, benefits and addressable market for Prelude’s product candidates, the expected timeline for initial proof-of-concept data and clinical trial results for Prelude’s product candidates, and the sufficiency of Prelude’s cash runway into 2026. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “likely,” “projects,” “continue,” “will,” “schedule,” and “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are predictions based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events and various assumptions. Although Prelude believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Prelude cannot guarantee future events, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and the timing and results of biotechnology development and potential regulatory approval is inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Prelude's actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including risks and uncertainties related to Prelude's ability to advance its product candidates, the receipt and timing of potential regulatory designations, approvals and commercialization of product candidates, clinical trial sites and our ability to enroll eligible patients, supply chain and manufacturing facilities, Prelude’s ability to maintain and recognize the benefits of certain designations received by product candidates, the timing and results of preclinical and clinical trials, Prelude's ability to fund development activities and achieve development goals, Prelude's ability to protect intellectual property, and other risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in Prelude’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents that Prelude files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Prelude undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as may be required by law.
| PRELUDE THERAPEUTICS INCORPORATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 27,409 | $ | 21,834 | ||||
| General and administrative | 6,934 | 7,281 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 34,343 | 29,115 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (34,343 | ) | (29,115 | ) | ||||
| Other income, net | 2,912 | 1,397 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (31,431 | ) | $ | (27,718 | ) | ||
| Per share information: | ||||||||
| Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted | $ | (0.42 | ) | $ | (0.58 | ) | ||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 75,735,954 | 47,737,190 | ||||||
| Comprehensive loss: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (31,431 | ) | $ | (27,718 | ) | ||
| Unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities, net of tax | (458 | ) | 1,294 | |||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (31,889 | ) | $ | (26,424 | ) | ||
| PRELUDE THERAPEUTICS INCORPORATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except share data) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 24,707 | $ | 25,291 | ||||
| Marketable securities | 177,217 | 207,644 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,442 | 2,654 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 205,366 | 235,589 | ||||||
| Restricted cash | 4,044 | 4,044 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 7,294 | 7,325 | ||||||
| Right-of-use asset | 30,107 | 30,412 | ||||||
| Other assets | 295 | 295 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 247,106 | $ | 277,665 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 5,308 | $ | 4,580 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 10,147 | 15,768 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability | 2,188 | 1,481 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 17,643 | 21,829 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 3,277 | 3,339 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability | 15,452 | 15,407 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 36,372 | 40,575 | ||||||
| Commitments | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Voting common stock, | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Non-voting common stock, | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 698,785 | 693,252 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | (235 | ) | 223 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (487,821 | ) | (456,390 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 210,734 | 237,090 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 247,106 | $ | 277,665 | ||||
Investor Contact:
Robert A. Doody Jr.
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
484.639.7235
rdoody@preludetx.com
Media Contact:
Helen Shik
Shik Communications
617.510.4373
Helen@ShikCommunications.com
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