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RAPT Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, maintaining a solid cash position of $141.6 million. The company decided to close and unblind its Phase 2b clinical trial of zelnecirnon in atopic dermatitis and its Phase 2a trial in asthma due to a serious adverse event of liver failure. Despite challenges, the company remains optimistic about the data collected and is working towards completing the analysis in the third quarter of the year.

Positive
  • RAPT Therapeutics maintains a strong cash position of $141.6 million as of March 31, 2024.

Negative
  • The company had a net loss of $30.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $29.3 million in the same period in 2023.

  • Research and development expenses decreased slightly from $25.6 million in 2023 to $24.8 million in 2024, but general and administrative expenses increased from $6.0 million to $7.7 million during the same period.

  • Both Phase 2b clinical trial of zelnecirnon in atopic dermatitis and its Phase 2a trial in asthma were closed due to a serious adverse event, impacting the enrollment and progress of the trials.

Insights

Reviewing the financial results of RAPT Therapeutics for the first quarter of 2024 brings to light several noteworthy aspects. The reported net loss of $30.5 million shows a slight increase compared to the $29.3 million loss for the same quarter in the previous year. This incremental rise may concern investors, signaling that the company is yet to realize economies of scale or reduce operating costs effectively. A closer look at the R&D expenditure reveals a modest decrease, which could indicate a strategic scaling back in their development efforts for their lead drug candidates or simply a natural progression in the clinical trial phases requiring less intense capital deployment. Conversely, the uptick in G&A expenses, attributed to personnel and consulting, suggests an investment in growth or potential expansion. With a solid cash position of $141.6 million, the company appears to have a healthy runway to support ongoing operations and navigate the clinical hold situation. The financial health of a company is important for stakeholders and in this case, the cash reserves offer some cushion against short-term adversities.

The clinical developments at RAPT Therapeutics merit attention due to their potential impact on the company's future. The decision to close and unblind the Phase 2b and Phase 2a trials of zelnecirnon due to a serious adverse event is a significant setback. While the company's optimistic view on having sufficient data from the trials is encouraging, the lack of statistically significant results due to the unforeseen halt may impede the drug's progress. The market often reacts unfavorably to such events and can lead to volatility in stock prices. The impending discussions with the FDA will be pivotal and could either renew confidence in the company's pipeline or further question its viability. Additionally, the thorough investigation into the adverse event is essential not only to address the FDA's concerns but also to ensure patient safety in future trials, which is paramount in drug development.

Company maintains solid cash position of $141.6 million

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAPT), a clinical-stage, immunology-based therapeutics company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral small molecule therapies for patients with significant unmet needs in inflammatory diseases and oncology, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

The Company also announced today that it has decided to close and unblind both its Phase 2b clinical trial of zelnecirnon (RPT193) in atopic dermatitis (“AD”) and its Phase 2a trial of zelnecirnon in asthma. Both clinical trials were placed on clinical hold by the FDA in February 2024 based on a serious adverse event of liver failure requiring transplant in one patient in the AD trial. Prior to the imposition of the clinical hold, a total of 229 patients had been enrolled in the Phase 2b AD trial, of which approximately 110 had completed the 16-week dosing period.

“Although there were a significant number of patients who were unable to complete the AD trial due to the hold, we believe we will have sufficient data, even if not statistically significant, to inform our path forward and support our discussions with the FDA,” said Brian Wong, President and CEO. “We are working with the clinical trial sites to clean the data and we anticipate that our analysis of the data will be completed in the third quarter of this year. Concurrently, we are continuing our investigation and analysis of the serious adverse event that triggered the clinical hold.”

Financial Results for the First Quarter March 31, 2024

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2024

Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $30.5 million, compared to $29.3 million for the first quarter of 2023.

Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were $24.8 million, compared to $25.6 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily due to lower development costs related to zelnecirnon, tivumecirnon and early-stage programs as well as decreased expenses for lab supplies partially offset by increased expenses for personnel, consultants, facilities and non-cash stock-based compensation.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were $7.7 million, compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased expenses for personnel, non-cash stock-based compensation, consulting and facilities.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $141.6 million.

About RAPT Therapeutics, Inc.

RAPT Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, immunology-based therapeutics company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral small molecule therapies for patients with significant unmet needs in inflammatory diseases and oncology. Utilizing its proprietary discovery and development engine, the Company is developing highly selective small molecules designed to modulate the critical immune drivers underlying these diseases. RAPT has discovered and advanced two unique drug candidates, zelnecirnon (RPT193) and tivumecirnon (FLX475), each targeting C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), for the treatment of inflammation and cancer, respectively. The Company is also pursuing a range of targets that are in the discovery stage of development.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “target,” “will” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Each of these statements is based only on current information, assumptions and expectations that are inherently subject to change and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s expectations concerning the clinical holds of its Phase 2 trials of zelnecirnon, including its investigation of the incident, its analysis of the data from the unblinded trials and the timing thereof, its ability to resolve issues to the FDA’s satisfaction and the availability of updates concerning such process and other statements that are not historical fact. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected or unfavorable safety or efficacy data observed during clinical studies, preliminary data and trends that may not be predictive of future data or results or that may not demonstrate safety or efficacy or lead to regulatory approval, the inability to resolve issues related to the clinical holds on the Phase 2 trials of zelnecirnon to the FDA’s satisfaction and to ultimately resume such trials, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, unanticipated or greater than anticipated impacts or delays due to macroeconomic conditions (including the long-term impacts of ongoing overseas conflicts, inflation, higher interest rates and other economic uncertainty), changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process and the sufficiency of RAPT’s cash resources. Detailed information regarding risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by statements in this press release may be found in RAPT’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2024 and subsequent filings made by RAPT with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. RAPT disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

RAPT Media Contact:
Aljanae Reynolds
areynolds@wheelhouselsa.com

RAPT Investor Contact:
Sylvia Wheeler
swheeler@wheelhouselsa.com


RAPT THERAPEUTICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands, except share per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2024  2023 
Operating expenses:      
Research and development  24,781   25,574 
General and administrative  7,737   5,988 
Total operating expenses  32,518   31,562 
Loss from operations  (32,518)  (31,562)
Other income, net  1,997   2,291 
Net loss $(30,521) $(29,271)
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities  (113)  365 
Total comprehensive loss $(30,634) $(28,906)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted $(0.79) $(0.76)
Weighted average number of shares used in computing
net loss per share, basic and diluted
  38,625,365   38,280,539 


RAPT THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
  March 31,
2024
  December 31,
2023
Assets (Unaudited)  (1) 
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents $45,317  $47,478 
Marketable securities  96,262   111,384 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  6,781   2,920 
Total current assets  148,360   161,782 
Property and equipment, net  2,239   2,448 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  4,772   5,228 
Other assets  447   3,871 
Total assets $155,818  $173,329 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable $6,771  $5,176 
Accrued expenses  11,807   14,103 
Operating lease liabilities, current  2,508   2,448 
Other current liabilities  82   109 
Total current liabilities  21,168   21,836 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current  3,815   4,458 
Total liabilities  24,983   26,294 
Commitments     
Stockholders’ equity:     
Preferred stock      
Common stock  3   3 
Additional paid-in capital  646,045   631,611 
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)  (10)  103 
Accumulated deficit  (515,203)  (484,682)
Total stockholders’ equity  130,835   147,035 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $155,818  $173,329 

(1) The consolidated balance sheet for December 31, 2022 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.


FAQ

What are RAPT Therapeutics' financial results for the first quarter of 2024?

RAPT Therapeutics reported a net loss of $30.5 million for the first quarter of 2024.

What is the cash position of RAPT Therapeutics as of March 31, 2024?

RAPT Therapeutics maintains a solid cash position of $141.6 million as of March 31, 2024.

Why did RAPT Therapeutics close its Phase 2b clinical trial of zelnecirnon in atopic dermatitis?

RAPT Therapeutics closed its Phase 2b clinical trial of zelnecirnon in atopic dermatitis due to a serious adverse event of liver failure requiring transplant in one patient.

When is RAPT Therapeutics expecting to complete the analysis of the data from the closed clinical trials?

RAPT Therapeutics anticipates completing the analysis of the data from the closed clinical trials in the third quarter of 2024.

RAPT Therapeutics, Inc.

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Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Preparations
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United States of America
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO