Rafael Holdings Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Rafael Holdings (NYSE: RFL) reported Q1 fiscal 2025 financial results, highlighting its pending merger with Cyclo Therapeutics expected to close in Q1 2025. The company reported cash and equivalents of $54.3 million and a net loss of $9.0 million ($0.37 per share), compared to a $3.6 million loss ($0.15 per share) in the prior year.

The increased losses were mainly due to $6.0 million in unrealized losses on Cyclo investments and convertible notes. R&D expenses rose to $1.3 million from $0.5 million, while G&A expenses increased to $2.5 million from $2.0 million. Post-merger, Rafael will focus on Trappsol® Cyclo™, currently in a fully enrolled Phase 3 study for Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1, with interim results expected mid-2025.

Positive

• Strong cash position of $54.3 million
• Strategic merger with Cyclo Therapeutics pending completion
• Phase 3 study for Trappsol® Cyclo™ fully enrolled

Negative

• Net loss increased to $9.0 million from $3.6 million YoY
• $6.0 million in unrealized investment losses
• R&D expenses increased 160% to $1.3 million
• G&A expenses rose 25% to $2.5 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q1 FY2025 results reveal concerning financial metrics with a significant net loss of $9.0 million ($0.37 per share), more than doubling from $3.6 million in the previous year. The increased losses are primarily driven by $6.0 million in unrealized losses from Cyclo investments. While the company maintains a healthy cash position of $54.3 million, the rising operational costs, including R&D expenses increasing to $1.3 million and G&A expenses reaching $2.5 million, signal elevated cash burn. The pending merger with Cyclo Therapeutics represents a strategic pivot but also introduces execution risks, particularly given the unrealized losses already incurred on Cyclo-related investments.

Medical Research Analyst

The strategic focus on Trappsol® Cyclo™ for Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1 (NPC1) treatment presents a significant market opportunity, despite existing FDA-approved treatments. The fully enrolled Phase 3 study with interim results expected mid-2025 is a important catalyst. However, the competitive landscape in NPC1 treatment and the company's planned divestment of other assets to focus solely on this program increases risk concentration. The potential market leadership position for Trappsol® Cyclo™ will heavily depend on the Phase 3 results and differentiation from existing treatments.

Upon completion of our proposed merger with Cyclo Therapeutics the Company intends to focus its efforts on Cyclo’s lead clinical program Trappsol® Cyclo™

NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rafael Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RFL), today reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended October 31, 2024.

“We anticipate proceeding to a shareholder vote on our pending merger agreement with Cyclo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYTH) in the first calendar quarter of 2025 and closing promptly post shareholder approvals. Upon closing of the merger, the Company intends to focus its strategic efforts and resources on what will then be the Company’s lead clinical program and core asset, Trappsol^® Cyclo™. Accordingly, we are currently evaluating our other operating entities and portfolio of assets,” said Bill Conkling, CEO of Rafael Holdings. Bill added, “We are encouraged that Cyclo Therapeutics has fully enrolled its pivotal Phase 3 study evaluating Trappsol^® Cyclo™ for the treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1, a rare and fatal genetic disease, and results from the 48-week interim analysis are expected in the middle of 2025. Despite recent FDA approvals of other treatments for NPC Type C1, we believe that Trappsol^® Cyclo™ has the potential to be a market leader.”

Rafael Holdings, Inc. First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

As of October 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $54.3 million.

For the three months ended October 31, 2024, we recorded a net loss attributable to Rafael Holdings of $9.0 million, or $0.37 per share, versus a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.15 per share in the year ago period. The year over year increase in losses was attributable to the combined unrealized losses of $6.0 on the Company’s investment in Cyclo as well as in the convertible notes receivable from Cyclo, versus $2.1 million in unrealized losses on the Company’s investment in Cyclo in the year ago period.

Research and development expenses were $1.3 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $0.5 million in the year ago period. The year over year increase relates to activity at Cornerstone and Day Three, which were consolidated with Rafael Holdings during fiscal 2024.

For the three months ended October 31, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $2.5 million. For the same period in the prior year, general and administrative expenses were $2.0 million. The increase was primarily due to additional expenses from Cornerstone and Day Three, as well as increased professional fees related to the proposed Cyclo merger.

About Rafael Holdings, Inc.

Rafael Holdings, Inc. is a holding company with interests in clinical and early-stage pharmaceutical companies including an investment in (and planned merger with) Cyclo Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: CYTH), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing Trappsol^® Cyclo™, which is being evaluated in clinical trials, including an ongoing Phase 3 trial for the potential treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1 (“NPC1”), a rare, fatal, and progressive genetic disorder.  Rafael also holds a majority equity interest in LipoMedix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. a clinical stage pharmaceutical company, Barer Institute Inc., a wholly owned preclinical cancer metabolism research operation, a majority interest in Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., formerly known as Rafael Pharmaceuticals Inc., a cancer metabolism-based therapeutics company, a majority interest in Rafael Medical Devices, LLC., an orthopedic-focused medical device company developing instruments to advance minimally invasive surgeries, and a majority interest in Day Three Labs, Inc., a company which empowers third-party manufacturers to reimagine their existing cannabis offerings enabling them to bring to market better, cleaner, more precise and predictable versions by utilizing Day Three’s pharmaceutical-grade technology and innovation like Unlokt™. The Company’s primary focus is to expand our investment portfolio through opportunistic and strategic investments including therapeutics, which address high unmet medical needs. Upon closing of the planned merger with Cyclo Therapeutics, the Company intends to focus its efforts on making Trappsol^®Cyclo™ its lead clinical program.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding our expectations surrounding the potential, safety, efficacy, and regulatory and clinical progress of our product candidates; plans regarding the further evaluation of clinical data; and the potential of our pipeline, including our internal cancer metabolism research programs. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those disclosed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2024, and our other filings with the SEC. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

Contact:
Barbara Ryan
Barbara.ryan@rafaelholdings.com
(203) 274-2825

	RAFAEL HOLDINGS, INC.
	CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)
			October 31, 2024				July 31, 2024
							(audited)
	ASSETS
	CURRENT ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	8,159			$	2,675
	Available-for-sale securities			46,138				63,265
	Interest receivable			438				515
	Convertible note receivables, due from Cyclo			12,603				5,191
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $245 at October 31, 2024 and July 31, 2024			201				426
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,942				430
	Total current assets			70,481				72,502
	Property and equipment, net			2,078				2,120
	Investments - Hedge Funds			-				2,547
	Investments – Cyclo			7,645				12,010
	Convertible note receivable classified as available-for-sale			1,161				1,146
	Goodwill			3,050				3,050
	Intangible assets, net			1,818				1,847
	In-process research and development			1,575				1,575
	Other assets			27				35
	TOTAL ASSETS		$	87,835			$	96,832
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Accounts payable		$	2,700			$	2,556
	Accrued expenses			1,379				1,798
	Convertible notes payable			614				614
	Other current liabilities			112				113
	Due to related parties			734				733
	Installment note payable			1,700				1,700
	Total current liabilities			7,239				7,514
	Accrued expenses, noncurrent			3,138				2,982
	Convertible notes payable, noncurrent			74				73
	Other liabilities			—				5
	TOTAL LIABILITIES			10,451				10,574
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	EQUITY
	Class A common stock, $0.01 par value; 35,000,000 shares authorized, 787,163 shares issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2024 and July 31, 2024			8				8
	Class B common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 24,135,035 issued and 23,785,043 outstanding (excluding treasury shares of 101,487) as of October 31, 2024, and 24,142,535 issued and 23,819,948 outstanding (excluding treasury shares of 101,487) as of July 31, 2024			238				238
	Additional paid-in capital			280,359				280,048
	Accumulated deficit			(210,749	)			(201,743	)
	Treasury stock, at cost; 101,487 Class B shares as of October 31, 2024 and July 31, 2024			(168	)			(168	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income related to unrealized income on available-for-sale securities			132				111
	Accumulated other comprehensive income related to foreign currency translation adjustment			3,696				3,691
	Total equity attributable to Rafael Holdings, Inc.			73,516				82,185
	Noncontrolling interests			3,868				4,073
	TOTAL EQUITY			77,384				86,258
	TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		$	87,835			$	96,832

RAFAEL HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended October 31,
	2024				2023
Revenues	$	128			$	68
Cost of infusion technology revenue		37				-
SG&A Expenses		2,523				2,040
R&D Expenses		1,326				489
Depreciation and amortization		86				17
Operating Loss		(3,844	)			(2,478	)
Interest income		568				582
Realized gain on available-for-sale securities		194				177
Realized loss on investment in equity securities		-				(46	)
Realized gain on investments - Cyclo		-				424
Unrealized loss on investments - Cyclo		(4,365	)			(2,124	)
Unrealized loss on convertible notes receivable, due from Cyclo		(1,588	)			-
Unrealized loss on investments - Hedge Funds		-				(166	)
Interest expense		(162	)			-
Other income		(2	)			93
Loss before Incomes Taxes		(9,199	)			(3,538	)
Taxes		(12	)			(6	)
Equity in loss of Day Three Labs Inc.		-				(216	)
Consolidated net loss		(9,211	)			(3,760	)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(205	)			(122	)
Net loss attributable to Rafael Holdings, Inc.	$	(9,006	)		$	(3,638	)
Loss per share
Basic and diluted		(0.37	)			(0.15	)
Loss per basic common share	$	(0.37	)		$	(0.15	)
Weighted average shares in calculation		25,062,854				23,644,647

FAQ

What is Rafael Holdings' (RFL) current cash position as of Q1 FY2025?

Rafael Holdings reported cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $54.3 million as of October 31, 2024.

When is Rafael Holdings (RFL) expected to complete its merger with Cyclo Therapeutics?

The merger is expected to proceed to shareholder vote and close in the first calendar quarter of 2025.

What caused Rafael Holdings' (RFL) increased net loss in Q1 FY2025?

The increased net loss was primarily due to $6.0 million in unrealized losses on the Company's investment in Cyclo and convertible notes receivable.

When are the interim results expected for Trappsol® Cyclo™'s Phase 3 study?

The 48-week interim analysis results are expected in the middle of 2025.

How much did Rafael Holdings' (RFL) R&D expenses increase in Q1 FY2025?

R&D expenses increased to $1.3 million from $0.5 million in the year-ago period.