Rani Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Provides Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Rani Therapeutics (Nasdaq: RANI) reported Q2 2024 financial results and provided a corporate update. Key highlights include:

1. Partnership with ProGen to develop RT-114, an oral GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for obesity treatment, with Phase 1 study expected in 2025.

2. Completed equity offering with gross proceeds of $10.0 million.

3. Presented clinical and preclinical data on oral delivery of ustekinumab biosimilar via RaniPill® Capsule at DDW 2024.

4. Q2 2024 financials: Cash and equivalents at $30.9 million, R&D expenses decreased to $6.1 million, G&A expenses decreased to $6.4 million, net loss reduced to $13.4 million.

5. ProGen presented positive Phase 1 data on PG-102 (GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist) at ADA 2024 conference.

Positive

• Partnership with ProGen for co-development of RT-114, an oral obesity treatment
• Completed equity offering with gross proceeds of $10.0 million
• Positive clinical and preclinical data presented for ustekinumab biosimilar delivery via RaniPill® Capsule
• Reduced R&D expenses by $5.0 million compared to Q2 2023
• Decreased G&A expenses by $0.8 million compared to Q2 2023
• Reduced net loss to $13.4 million from $18.7 million in Q2 2023

Negative

• Cash and equivalents decreased to $30.9 million from $48.5 million at end of 2023

Insights

Financial Analyst

Rani Therapeutics' Q2 2024 results reveal a mixed financial picture. The company's cash position decreased to $30.9 million from $48.5 million at year-end 2023, indicating significant cash burn. However, they've secured additional funding through a $10 million equity offering, which should provide some runway.

Positively, Rani has managed to reduce operating expenses, with R&D costs down by $5 million and G&A expenses down by $0.8 million year-over-year. This cost control has helped narrow the net loss to $13.4 million from $18.7 million in Q2 2023. The partnership with ProGen for RT-114 development could potentially share future costs and risks, which is important for a clinical-stage company with resources.

Biotech Industry Analyst

The partnership with ProGen for RT-114, an oral GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for obesity treatment, is a significant strategic move. This positions Rani in the highly competitive and lucrative obesity market, currently dominated by injectable GLP-1 agonists. The potential for a weekly oral dose could be a game-changer if successful.

The planned Phase 1 study initiation in 2025 for RT-114 provides a clear near-term catalyst. However, investors should note the extended timeline for potential commercialization. The presentation of clinical and preclinical data on oral delivery of an ustekinumab biosimilar demonstrates progress in Rani's broader platform technology, potentially opening doors for more partnerships or internal programs.

Market Research Analyst

Rani's focus on oral delivery of biologics addresses a significant unmet need in the pharmaceutical industry. The obesity market, targeted by RT-114, is projected to reach $54 billion by 2030, presenting a massive opportunity. However, competition is fierce, with established players like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly dominating.

The 50/50 cost and revenue sharing agreement with ProGen for RT-114 is a double-edged sword. It reduces financial burden and risk for Rani but also limits potential upside. The company's ability to execute on its development timeline and demonstrate clear advantages over existing therapies will be important for long-term success and potential partnerships for its other pipeline candidates.

- Announced partnership with ProGen on development of RT-114, an oral GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for the treatment of obesity -

- Phase 1 study for RT-114 expected to initiate in 2025 -

- Completed equity offering with gross proceeds of approximately $10.0 million -

- Presented clinical and preclinical data on oral delivery of an ustekinumab biosimilar via the RaniPill® Capsule at Digestive Disease Week 2024 -

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“Rani Therapeutics” or “Rani”) (Nasdaq: RANI), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on the oral delivery of biologics and drugs, today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and provided a corporate update.

“This quarter has been transformative for Rani, highlighted by the recent partnership with ProGen for the co-development and commercialization of RT-114, an oral RaniPill® capsule containing ProGen’s PG-102, a GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist, for the treatment of obesity,” said Talat Imran, Chief Executive Officer of Rani. “RT-114 has the potential to provide better lean muscle preservation and nutritional health of patients compared to current therapies due to the unique mechanism of action of GLP-2. We intend to evaluate RT-114 as a convenient, weekly oral dose. We look forward to initiating our Phase 1 study for RT-114 in 2025 with the aim of advancing a truly differentiated oral anti-obesity treatment option.”

Second Quarter 2024 and Subsequent Highlights:

• Announced Partnership with ProGen on Development of Oral Obesity Treatment. In June 2024, Rani announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with ProGen Co., Ltd., a South Korean clinical-stage biotech company developing next generation long-acting, multi-specific fusion protein therapeutics, for the co-development and commercialization of RT-114, an oral RaniPill® capsule containing ProGen’s PG-102, a GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist, for the treatment of obesity. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Rani and ProGen agree to share responsibilities for the development and commercialization of RT-114 worldwide, including a 50/50 cost and revenue share arrangement. Rani has exclusive rights to lead development and commercialization of RT-114 in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia, and ProGen has exclusive rights to lead development and commercialization in the rest of the world. Rani is designated to lead operationally in conducting preclinical and development activities through the Phase 1 program, which is expected to initiate in 2025.
• Completed equity offering for total gross proceeds of approximately $10.0 million. In July 2024, Rani completed the sale and issuance of Class A common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase Class A common stock, and warrants to purchase Class A common stock, to an institutional investor for total gross proceeds of approximately $10.0 million, excluding any potential proceeds from the exercise of warrants, if any.
• ProGen presented data from Phase 1 single-ascending dose study of PG-102, a GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist, at the 2024 American Diabetes Association conference. PG-102 showed a favorable safety profile with lower frequencies of gastrointestinal side effects compared to competitors’ trials in similar settings.
• Presented Clinical and Preclinical Data on Oral Delivery of an Ustekinumab Biosimilar via the RaniPill® Capsule at Digestive Disease Week 2024. In May 2024, Rani presented clinical and preclinical data on the RaniPill® capsule, the company’s oral delivery platform, at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). The clinical data presentation demonstrated that an orally administered robotic pill (RP) reliably and safely delivered an ustekinumab biosimilar RT-111 with high bioavailability relative to subcutaneous (SC) ustekinumab in healthy human participants. The preclinical data presentation demonstrated that an orally-administered ustekinumab biosimilar RT-111 delivered via a robotic pill yielded bioavailability comparable to subcutaneous injection in canines.

Near-Term Milestone Expectations:

• Initiation of Phase 1 clinical trial of RT-114 containing a GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for the treatment of obesity expected in 2025.
  

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results:

• Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024 totaled $30.9 million, compared to $48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
• Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were $6.1 million, compared to $11.1 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease of $5.0 million was primarily attributed to lower compensation costs of $2.9 million due to reduction in workforce, $1.6 million reduction in third-party services and $0.4 million reduction in materials and supplies due to the timing of certain preclinical and clinical studies.
• General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were $6.4 million, compared to $7.2 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease of $0.8 million was primarily attributed to lower compensation costs of $1.3 million due to reduction in workforce, offset by an increase in facility costs of $0.4 million due to the lease in Fremont, California.
• Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $13.4 million, compared to $18.7 million for the same period in 2023, including stock-based compensation expense of $4.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.1 million for the same period in 2023.

About Rani Therapeutics

Rani Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on advancing technologies to enable the development of orally administered biologics and drugs. Rani has developed the RaniPill capsule, which is a novel, proprietary and patented platform technology, intended to replace subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion of biologics and drugs with oral dosing. Rani has successfully conducted several preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate safety, tolerability and bioavailability using RaniPill capsule technology. For more information, visit ranitherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, RT-114 therapeutic potential, the expected initiation of a Phase 1 trial of RT-114 in 2025, the success of Rani’s collaboration with ProGen, Rani’s development and advancement of its RaniPill capsule technology, including RaniPill HC, Rani’s advancement of its preclinical and clinical programs and timing of results, the sufficiency of Rani’s cash reserves, the timing and extent of its expenses, and future financial performance. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “intend,” “look forward,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Rani’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Rani’s business in general and the other risks described in Rani’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Rani’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent filings and reports by Rani. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Rani 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 required by law.

Trademarks

Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names referred to in this press release appear without the ® and ™ symbols, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and tradenames.

Investor Contact:

investors@ranitherapeutics.com

Media Contact:

media@ranitherapeutics.com

RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC Consolidated Balance Sheets  (In thousands, except par value)
		June 30,				December 31,
		2024				2023
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,514			$	5,864
Marketable securities			26,387				42,675
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,133				2,308
Total current assets			32,034				50,847
Property and equipment, net			5,695				6,105
Operating lease right-of-use asset			5,751				718
Other assets			246				246
Total assets		$	43,726			$	57,916
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	506			$	648
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			2,422				1,726
Current portion of long-term debt			12,290				4,897
Current portion of operating lease liability			1,363				718
Total current liabilities			16,581				7,989
Long-term debt, less current portion			17,207				24,484
Operating lease liability, less current portion			4,388				—
Total liabilities			38,176				32,473
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value - 20,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023			—				—
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value - 800,000 shares authorized; 26,489 and 26,036 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			3				3
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value - 40,000 shares authorized; 24,116 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023			2				2
Class C common stock, $0.0001 par value - 20,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023			—				—
Additional paid-in capital			90,012				85,762
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(5	)			(12	)
Accumulated deficit			(87,177	)			(72,889	)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.			2,835				12,866
Non-controlling interest			2,715				12,577
Total stockholders' equity			5,550				25,443
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	43,726			$	57,916

RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts)  (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Operating expenses
Research and development		$	6,115			$	11,086			$	13,700			$	20,798
General and administrative			6,409				7,208				12,857				14,012
Total operating expenses		$	12,524			$	18,294			$	26,557			$	34,810
Loss from operations			(12,524	)			(18,294	)			(26,557	)			(34,810	)
Other income (expense), net
Interest income and other, net			439				896				988				1,787
Interest expense and other, net			(1,276	)			(1,266	)			(2,571	)			(2,473	)
Net loss		$	(13,361	)		$	(18,664	)		$	(28,140	)		$	(35,496	)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			(6,556	)			(9,361	)			(13,852	)			(17,821	)
Net loss attributable to Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.		$	(6,805	)		$	(9,303	)		$	(14,288	)		$	(17,675	)
Net loss per Class A common share attributable to Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., basic and diluted		$	(0.26	)		$	(0.37	)		$	(0.55	)		$	(0.70	)
Weighted-average Class A common shares outstanding—basic and diluted			26,324				25,345				26,179				25,293

FAQ

What is Rani Therapeutics' new partnership for RT-114?

Rani Therapeutics partnered with ProGen in June 2024 to co-develop and commercialize RT-114, an oral RaniPill® capsule containing ProGen's PG-102, a GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for obesity treatment.

When is the Phase 1 study for RT-114 expected to begin?

Rani Therapeutics expects to initiate the Phase 1 study for RT-114, their oral obesity treatment, in 2025.

How much did Rani Therapeutics raise in their recent equity offering?

Rani Therapeutics completed an equity offering in July 2024, raising gross proceeds of approximately $10.0 million.

What were Rani Therapeutics' (RANI) key financial results for Q2 2024?

In Q2 2024, Rani Therapeutics reported cash and equivalents of $30.9 million, R&D expenses of $6.1 million, G&A expenses of $6.4 million, and a net loss of $13.4 million.

What data did Rani Therapeutics present at Digestive Disease Week 2024?

Rani Therapeutics presented clinical and preclinical data on oral delivery of an ustekinumab biosimilar via the RaniPill® Capsule, demonstrating reliable and safe delivery with high bioavailability.