REGENXBIO Reports Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Operational Highlights

Rhea-AI Summary

REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX) reported its Q2 2020 financial results, noting significant advancements in its gene therapy programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Key highlights include plans to launch a pivotal program for RGX-314 in treating wet AMD by year-end, and the completion of patient dosing for RGX-121 targeting MPS II. Revenues surged to $16.6 million, attributed mainly to increased royalties from Zolgensma sales. However, the company incurred a net loss of $33.8 million. Cash reserves stood at $339.2 million, expected to fund development into 2022.

Positive

• Revenues increased to $16.6 million, up from $7.9 million year-over-year.
• Advancement of RGX-314 with plans for pivotal program initiation for wet AMD by year-end.
• Positive data from RGX-121 trial for MPS II, with no serious adverse events reported.
• Cash reserves of $339.2 million sufficient to fund operations into 2022.

Negative

• Net loss of $33.8 million for Q2 2020, compared to a loss of $1.5 million in Q2 2019.
• Increased R&D expenses to $38.1 million due to higher personnel and clinical trial costs.

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX), a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy based on its proprietary NAV^® Technology Platform, today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and recent operational highlights.

"Now halfway through 2020 and with the backdrop of the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, I am pleased that we have made significant progress in our gene therapy programs and continue to make important decisions with respect to our pipeline and plans. We expect to initiate the RGX-314 wet AMD pivotal program later this year based on the latest data from our RGX-314 Phase I/IIa trial, which has demonstrated durable treatment effect, with stable to improved visual acuity and retinal thickness. We also look forward to dosing patients in our RGX-314 trials using the suprachoroidal delivery approach for the treatment of wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy later this year," said Kenneth T. Mills, President and Chief Executive Officer of REGENXBIO. "Our team has also been hard at work moving our CNS-focused gene therapy programs forward. We have completed dosing of patients in the second cohort of our Phase I/II study of RGX-121 for the treatment of MPS II, which includes one patient dosed in Brazil at our first ex-U.S. gene therapy site. We look forward to providing additional updates for this program, as well as our RGX-111 program for the treatment of MPS I, later this year."

Mr. Mills continued: "We are committed to continuously evaluating our portfolio of gene therapy candidates, with innovation and patient needs in mind. Today, we have announced the expansion of our pipeline to include RGX-381 for the treatment of ocular manifestations of CLN2 disease, also known as Batten disease. This will complement our existing RGX-181 program for the treatment of CLN2 disease in the central nervous system. I look forward to providing additional details and updates for RGX-381 and RGX-181 in the coming months."

"Finally, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue the development of RGX-501 for the treatment of HoFH. This program was one of our first clinical-stage gene therapy programs, and we are grateful for the support of the HoFH patient community over the years. We will look for opportunities to support the continued advancement of this program through business development." 

Recent Operational Highlights

Gene Therapy Using NAV Vectors for AAV-Mediated Antibody Delivery

• RGX-314 for the Treatment of Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD)
• On August 4, 2020, REGENXBIO reported data from the RGX-314 Phase I/IIa trial using subretinal delivery. RGX-314 was generally well-tolerated as of July 13, 2020. For Cohorts 4 and 5:
• Durable treatment effect was observed with stable to improved visual acuity and retinal thickness at one year
• Meaningful reductions in anti-VEGF treatment burden were demonstrated over one year
• Dose-dependent intraocular RGX-314 protein expression levels were observed over one year
• REGENXBIO expects to initiate a pivotal program for the subretinal delivery of RGX-314 for the treatment of wet AMD by the end of 2020.
• REGENXBIO plans to dose patients in AAVIATE, the Phase II trial for the suprachoroidal delivery of RGX-314 using the SCS Microinjector™ for the treatment of wet AMD, in the third quarter of 2020.
• Interim data is expected to be reported from the first cohort by the end of 2020.
• RGX-314 for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
• REGENXBIO expects to initiate a Phase II trial in the second half of 2020 and interim data is expected to be reported in 2021.
• Research Program for the Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)
• Preclinical data from the HAE program was presented at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 23rd Annual Meeting in May 2020, demonstrating biological activity in a model of inflammatory edema and inhibition of kallikrein comparable to other anti-kallikrein treatments.
• REGENXBIO expects to provide a program update in the second half of 2020.
• Research Program for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
• REGENXBIO continues to collaborate with Neurimmune AG to design and develop vectorized antibody therapies targeting both alpha synuclein and tau. REGENXBIO expects to provide a program update in the second half of 2020.

Gene Therapy Using NAV Vectors for Rare Genetic Diseases

• RGX-121 for the Treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II)
• In July, REGENXBIO announced the completed dosing of three patients in Cohort 2 of its Phase I/II trial. As of June 24, 2020, RGX-121 was reported to be well-tolerated in patients across two dose levels, with no drug-related serious adverse events (SAEs).
• The Company expects to provide a data and program update in the second half of 2020.
• RGX-111 for the Treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I)
• In July, REGENXBIO reported data under a single-patient investigator-initiated Investigational New Drug application (IND) conducted at CHOC Children's, which demonstrated encouraging biomarker activity and continued progression of neurocognitive development. As of June 9, 2020, RGX-111 was reported to be well-tolerated in this patient, with no drug-related SAEs.
• Recruitment and patient screening are ongoing in the Company's Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating RGX-111 for the treatment of MPS I.
• REGENXBIO expects to provide a program update by the end of 2020.
• RGX-381 for the Treatment of Ocular Manifestations of Late-infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Type 2 (CLN2) Disease
• RGX-381 is a new program targeting the ocular manifestations of CLN2 disease in patients and is designed to use the AAV9 vector to deliver the tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) gene directly to the retina. REGENXBIO believes that one-time administration of RGX-381 could provide a durable source of TPP1 activity in the retina, thereby potentially preventing visual decline. There is currently no available treatment for ocular manifestations of CLN2 disease.
• REGENXBIO expects to submit an IND for a Phase I/II study of RGX-381 in patients with CLN2 disease in the second half of 2020 and plans to initiate enrollment in the first half of 2021.
• The company has initiated two non-interventional natural history studies to assess ocular manifestations in CLN2 disease.
• The Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation granted to the RGX-181 program also apply to the RGX-381 program.
• RGX-181 for the Treatment of CLN2 Disease
• REGENXBIO expects to submit an IND for the intracisternal delivery of RGX-181 by the end of 2020, and plans to initiate enrollment in a Phase I/II trial in the first half of 2021.
• RGX-501 for the Treatment of Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
• REGENXBIO has discontinued internal clinical development of RGX-501 for the treatment of HoFH in order to focus on furthering other gene therapy programs in its pipeline. The Company plans to evaluate strategic alternatives to support the continued advancement of this program, including through partnering.
• Research Program for the Treatment of Neuromuscular Disorders
• REGENXBIO expects to announce plans for clinical development of a potential treatment for a neuromuscular disorder using NAV AAV8 in the second half of 2020.

Operational Updates

• Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) Manufacturing Facility
• Construction of a new corporate, research and manufacturing headquarters in Rockville, Maryland continues, with plans to begin utilizing the new headquarters in the first half of 2021.The new cGMP production facility is expected to allow for production of NAV vectors at scales up to 2,000 liters using REGENXBIO's platform suspension cell culture process, which will complement REGENXBIO's current external manufacturing network and capabilities. The cGMP facility is expected to be operational starting in late 2021.

Marketed NAV Technology Product Highlights

REGENXBIO's NAV Technology Platform is being applied in one marketed product, Zolgensma^®. On July 21, 2020, Novartis AG reported second quarter 2020 U.S. Zolgensma sales revenue of $205 million, and REGENXBIO recognized royalty revenue of $12 million in the second quarter of 2020 as a result of these sales. Total net sales of Zolgensma since launch in May 2019 are more than $735 million. REGENXBIO is eligible to receive a milestone payment of $80.0 million from Novartis upon the achievement of $1.0 billion in cumulative net sales of Zolgensma.

Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $339.2 million as of June 30, 2020, compared to $400.0 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to net cash flows used in operating activities of $57.1 million.

Revenues: Revenues were $16.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to an $11.0 million increase in royalty revenue recognized on net sales of Zolgensma in the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the second quarter of 2019.

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $38.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $29.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to personnel-related costs as a result of increased headcount, expenses associated with conducting clinical trials for our lead product candidates, laboratory and facilities costs, and externally sourced services for preclinical, regulatory and manufacturing-related activities.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $15.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $13.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to personnel-related costs as a result of increased headcount and professional fees for advisory and other services.

Net Loss: Net loss was $33.8 million, or $0.91 basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.04 basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

Financial Guidance

Based on its current operating plan, REGENXBIO expects its balance in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $339.2 million to fund the completion of its internal manufacturing capabilities and clinical advancement of its product candidates into 2022.

Q2 Earnings Conference Call

In connection with this announcement, REGENXBIO will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. ET. To access the live call by phone, dial (800) 708-4539 (domestic) or (847) 619-6396 (international) and enter the passcode 49857700. To access a live or recorded webcast of the call, please visit the "Investors" section of the REGENXBIO website at www.regenxbio.com. The recorded webcast will be available for approximately 30 days following the call.

About REGENXBIO Inc.

REGENXBIO is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy. REGENXBIO's NAV Technology Platform, a proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery platform, consists of exclusive rights to more than 100 novel AAV vectors, including AAV7, AAV8, AAV9 and AAVrh10. REGENXBIO and its third-party NAV Technology Platform Licensees are applying the NAV Technology Platform in the development of a broad pipeline of candidates in multiple therapeutic areas.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements express a belief, expectation or intention and are generally accompanied by words that convey projected future events or outcomes such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "design," "intend," "expect," "could," "plan," "potential," "predict," "seek," "should," "would" or by variations of such words or by similar expressions. The forward-looking statements include statements relating to, among other things, REGENXBIO's future operations, clinical trials, costs and cash flow. REGENXBIO has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by REGENXBIO in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors REGENXBIO believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with REGENXBIO's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timing of enrollment, commencement and completion and the success of clinical trials conducted by REGENXBIO, its licensees and its partners, the timing of commencement and completion and the success of preclinical studies conducted by REGENXBIO and its development partners, the timely development and launch of new products, the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of product candidates, the ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for product candidates and technology, trends and challenges in the business and markets in which REGENXBIO operates, the size and growth of potential markets for product candidates and the ability to serve those markets, the rate and degree of acceptance of product candidates, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises on REGENXBIO's business, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of REGENXBIO. Refer to the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of REGENXBIO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and comparable "risk factors" sections of REGENXBIO's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings, which have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on REGENXBIO or its businesses or operations. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. REGENXBIO does not undertake any obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SCS Microinjector™ is a trademark of Clearside Biomedical, Inc. Zolgensma^® is a registered trademark of AveXis, Inc. All other trademarks referenced herein are registered trademarks of REGENXBIO.

REGENXBIO INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)
	June 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	94,222		$	69,514
Marketable securities		174,964			226,696
Accounts receivable		42,876			38,148
Prepaid expenses		9,749			6,475
Other current assets		7,271			4,199
Total current assets		329,082			345,032
Marketable securities		70,054			103,785
Accounts receivable		3,618			4,155
Property and equipment, net		32,696			28,973
Operating lease right-of-use assets		8,635			10,078
Restricted cash		1,330			1,330
Other assets		4,323			4,555
Total assets	$	449,738		$	497,908
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	10,901		$	6,409
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		25,839			24,846
Deferred revenue		450			—
Operating lease liabilities		3,013			2,421
Total current liabilities		40,203			33,676
Deferred revenue		4,007			3,333
Operating lease liabilities		7,085			8,874
Other liabilities		582			1,828
Total liabilities		51,877			47,711
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock; $0.0001 par value; 10,000 shares     authorized, and no shares issued and outstanding     at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019		—			—
Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 100,000 shares     authorized at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019;     37,291 and 36,992 shares issued and outstanding at     June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively		4			4
Additional paid-in capital		648,729			627,810
Accumulated other comprehensive income		750			205
Accumulated deficit		(251,622)			(177,822)
Total stockholders' equity		397,861			450,197
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	449,738		$	497,908

 

REGENXBIO INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
	2020				2019			2020				2019
Revenues
License and royalty revenue	$	16,566			$	7,881		$	34,210			$	8,765
Total revenues		16,566				7,881			34,210				8,765
Operating Expenses
Cost of revenues		4,684				1,927			8,093				1,956
Research and development		38,111				29,483			75,146				54,686
General and administrative		15,554				13,405			30,387				24,963
Other operating expenses (income)		50				(62)			117				(62)
Total operating expenses		58,399				44,753			113,743				81,543
Loss from operations		(41,833)				(36,872)			(79,533)				(72,778)
Other Income
Interest income from licensing		1,849				762			2,697				1,375
Investment income		5,722				34,524			2,536				37,519
Total other income		7,571				35,286			5,233				38,894
Loss before income taxes		(34,262)				(1,586)			(74,300)				(33,884)
Income Tax Benefit		500				129			500				199
Net loss	$	(33,762)			$	(1,457)		$	(73,800)			$	(33,685)
Other Comprehensive Income
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net		1,330				530			545				1,151
Total other comprehensive income		1,330				530			545				1,151
Comprehensive loss	$	(32,432)			$	(927)		$	(73,255)			$	(32,534)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.91)			$	(0.04)		$	(1.98)			$	(0.92)
Weighted-average basic and diluted common shares outstanding		37,257				36,669			37,180				36,518

Contacts:

Tricia Truehart
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
347-926-7709
ttruehart@regenxbio.com

Investors:
Eleanor Barisser, 212-600-1902
eleanor@argotpartners.com

Media:
David Rosen, 212-600-1902
david.rosen@argotpartners.com

 

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SOURCE REGENXBIO Inc.

FAQ

What were REGENXBIO's revenues for Q2 2020?

REGENXBIO's revenues for Q2 2020 were $16.6 million.

What is the net loss reported by REGENXBIO for Q2 2020?

REGENXBIO reported a net loss of $33.8 million for Q2 2020.

When is REGENXBIO expected to start the RGX-314 pivotal program?

REGENXBIO expects to initiate the RGX-314 pivotal program for the treatment of wet AMD by the end of 2020.

How much cash does REGENXBIO have as of June 30, 2020?

REGENXBIO had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $339.2 million as of June 30, 2020.