Quoin Pharmaceuticals Provides Corporate Update and Announces First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Quoin Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company, announced positive clinical developments in Netherton Syndrome, including FDA clearance for teen recruitment and protocol amendments for ongoing studies. The company extended its cash runway into late 2025 and expanded its patent portfolio. Financially, Quoin had $14.7 million in cash, with a net loss of $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2024.

Positive

• Positive clinical developments in Netherton Syndrome studies, with FDA clearance for teen recruitment and protocol amendments.

• Extension of cash runway into late 2025 through successful public offering and equity line of credit arrangement.

• Expansion of intellectual property portfolio with US and International patent filings for a novel combination product for Netherton Syndrome.

Negative

• Net loss of approximately $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2024.

Insights

Biotech Analyst

Quoin Pharmaceuticals' announcement of extending their cash runway into late 2025 provides a buffer for the company amidst the costly trials and research development phase. This financial stability is important for investors as it indicates a reduction in immediate dilution risk and suggests that Quoin is effectively managing its capital. Moreover, the strategic filing of US and International patent applications for a Netherton Syndrome combination product could potentially safeguard the company's market exclusivity and offer a competitive edge. However, the inherent risks of drug development, particularly in rare disease markets, must be weighed against these positive strides. The extended cash runway gives them time to reach significant milestones, which if successful, could lead to a re-rating of the stock. Yet, the true inflection point for share value will be the NDA filing and subsequent market approval.

Financial Analyst

The reported net loss reduction from $2.6 million to $2.3 million year-over-year indicates a controlled burn rate which is reassuring for fiscal prudence. Yet, the capital raised through the public offering and the equity line of credit may suggest future dilution, a factor that investors must consider. The capital infusion appears to be timely as it bolsters the company's balance sheet ahead of key clinical milestones. For long-term investors, the focus will probably be on the company's clinical data and its ability to move the needle towards commercialization. The potential for a robust data set to support a New Drug Application (NDA) without further clinical studies is an optimistic signal that could reduce time-to-market.

Intellectual Property Consultant

Securing a patent for a novel treatment, especially in the niche field of rare and orphan diseases, is pivotal in establishing a foundation for long-term revenue streams. It can act as a barrier to entry for competitors and is often viewed as a positive development by investors. Quoin’s focus on strengthening their patent portfolio early in the development cycle is a strategic move that may pay dividends in the future, should their Netherton Syndrome treatment prove successful. From an intellectual property standpoint, the move aligns with best practices of securing a defensible moat around their innovations, a central tenet in the valuation of biotech firms.

FDA clearance to recruit teens in both on-going Netherton Syndrome clinical studies

U.S. and International patent filed for novel Netherton Syndrome combination product

Cash runway extended into late 2025

ASHBURN, Va., May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: QNRX) (the “Company” or “Quoin”), a clinical stage, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel treatments for rare and orphan diseases, today provides a business update and announces financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Quoin CEO, Dr. Michael Myers, said, “We are pleased to announce this encouraging start to 2024 as throughout the past quarter we successfully built upon the positive momentum from last year. Following a series of protocol amendments to both of our ongoing clinical studies in Netherton Syndrome subjects, we believe we have enhanced the potential for a successful outcome. All of the protocol amendments, which were based on positive initial clinical data, have been cleared by the FDA and have now been fully implemented. The amendments include increasing the size of the open-label and blinded studies to 20 and 30 subjects respectively, modifying dosing frequency to twice-daily from once-daily, eliminating the lower dose from the blinded study and reducing the age of eligibility to fourteen years and older. Combined the two studies will test a total of 50 Netherton subjects with over 30 of those tested being treated with QRX003 at the target commercial dose, either as monotherapy or in conjunction with systemic biologics. The Company believes the data set from both clinical studies could potentially be sufficiently robust and comprehensive to support an NDA filing, without the need for any additional clinical studies in Netherton subjects.

During the quarter, we expanded our intellectual property portfolio by the filing of US and International patent applications for a novel combination product as a treatment for Netherton Syndrome. We continue to explore additional patent opportunities for the product in both clinical and in the manufacturing of the active ingredient and finished product. Finally, via the combination of a successful public offering and the execution of an equity line of credit arrangement, we have extended our cash runway into late 2025, which is well beyond a number of potentially significant milestones for the Company.

Recent Corporate Highlights –

• On March 4^th, Quoin announced FDA Clearance to recruit teen subjects into both ongoing Netherton Syndrome clinical studies.
• On March 5^th, Quoin completed a public offering of securities with gross proceeds of $6.5 million.

• On February 8^th, Quoin filed U.S. and International patent applications for a novel Netherton Syndrome combination product.
• On January 25, Quoin Signed an equity line of credit with Alumni Capital for up to $8 million that was approved by shareholders on April 5^th 2024.

Financial Highlights

• Quoin had approximately $14.7 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2024.
• Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was approximately $2.3 million compared to approximately $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
• Investors are encouraged to read the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q when it is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which will contain additional details about Quoin’s financial results as of and for the period ended March 31, 2024.
  

About Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic products that treat rare and orphan diseases. We are committed to addressing unmet medical needs for patients, their families, communities and care teams. Quoin’s innovative pipeline comprises four products in development that collectively have the potential to target a broad number of rare and orphan indications, including Netherton Syndrome, Peeling Skin Syndrome, Palmoplantar Keratoderma, Scleroderma, Epidermolysis Bullosa and others. For more information, visit: www.quoinpharma.com or LinkedIn for updates.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

The Company cautions that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words referencing future events or circumstances such as “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” and “will,” among others. All statements that reflect the Company’s expectations, assumptions, projections, beliefs, or opinions about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to the Company’s expected cash runway, the belief that the data set from both clinical studies could potentially be sufficiently robust and comprehensive to support an NDA filing, without the need for any additional clinical studies in Netherton subjects, and the belief that certain protocol changes has enhanced the potential for a successful outcome and Quoin’s products in development collectively have the potential to target a broad number of rare and orphan indications, including Netherton Syndrome, Peeling Skin Syndrome, Palmoplantar Keratoderma, Scleroderma, Epidermolysis Bullosa and others. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the Company may need to raise additional funds sooner than planned, the clinical studies may not generate data which is sufficiently robust and comprehensive to support an NDA filing and the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is summarized in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in other filings the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. One should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as may be required by law.

For further information:

PCG Advisory
Jeff Ramson
646-863-6893
jramson@pcgadvisory.com

-Tables Follow-

QUOIN PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
					March 31,				December 31,
						2024				2023
					(unaudited)
ASSETS
	Current assets:
		Cash and cash equivalents			$	1,833,524			$	2,401,198
		Investments				12,856,448				8,293,663
		Prepaid expenses and other current assets				574,904				591,034
			Total current assets			15,264,876				11,285,895
		Prepaid expenses - long term				300,000				300,000
		Intangible assets, net				558,334				583,334
			Total assets		$	16,123,210			$	12,169,229
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
		Accounts payable			$	358,510			$	526,523
		Accrued expenses				2,119,194				1,308,706
		Accrued interest and financing expense				1,146,251				1,146,251
		Due to officers - short term				600,000				600,000
			Total current liabilities			4,223,955				3,581,480
		Due to officers - long term				2,773,733				2,923,733
			Total liabilities		$	6,997,688			$	6,505,213
	Shareholders' equity:
		Ordinary shares, no par value per share, 100,000,000 ordinary shares authorized at			$	-			$	-
			March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively - 3,795,970 (3,795,970 ADS's) ordinary shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and 987,220 (987,220 ADS's) at December 31, 2023
		Additional paid in capital				57,656,122				51,867,336
		Accumulated deficit				(48,530,600	)			(46,203,320	)
			Total shareholders' equity			9,125,522				5,664,016
			Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	16,123,210			$	12,169,229

QUOIN PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
		Three months ended March 31,
			2024				2023
Operating expenses
General and administrative		$	1,615,452			$	1,683,817
Research and development			842,832				1,091,733
Total operating expenses			2,458,284				2,775,550
Other (income) and expenses
Unrealized loss (gain)			6,509				(20,427	)
Realized and accrued interest income			(137,513	)			(152,054	)
Total other income			(131,004	)			(172,481	)
Net loss		$	(2,327,280	)		$	(2,603,069	)
Loss per ADS
Basic		$	(1.11	)		$	(4.09	)
Fully-diluted		$	(1.11	)		$	(4.09	)
Weighted average number of ADS's outstanding
Basic			2,103,292				637,217
Fully-diluted			2,103,292				637,217

 

FAQ

What clinical developments did Quoin Pharmaceuticals announce?

Quoin Pharmaceuticals announced positive clinical developments in Netherton Syndrome, including FDA clearance for teen recruitment and protocol amendments for ongoing studies.

How has Quoin Pharmaceuticals extended its cash runway?

Quoin Pharmaceuticals extended its cash runway into late 2025 through a successful public offering and the execution of an equity line of credit arrangement.

What did Quoin Pharmaceuticals do to expand its intellectual property portfolio?

Quoin Pharmaceuticals expanded its intellectual property portfolio by filing US and International patent applications for a novel combination product for Netherton Syndrome.

What was Quoin Pharmaceuticals' net loss for the first quarter of 2024?

Quoin Pharmaceuticals reported a net loss of approximately $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2024.