Cassava Sciences Reports First Quarter Financial Results for 2022 and Updates on Phase 3 Clinical Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Cassava Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAVA) reported financial results for Q1 2022, revealing a net loss of $17.5 million, or $0.44 per share, up from a loss of $3.5 million, or $0.09 per share, in Q1 2021. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $209.7 million with no debt. The company is advancing its Phase 3 clinical program for simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease, now enrolling over 120 patients across 115 sites. R&D expenses rose significantly to $14.9 million due to increased clinical activities, while G&A expenses reached $2.9 million, primarily from legal services.

Positive

• Over 120 patients now enrolled in the Phase 3 program for simufilam.
• Cash and cash equivalents at $209.7 million with no debt.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $17.5 million, compared to $3.5 million in Q1 2021.
• Net cash used in operations expected to be approximately $35 to $40 million for H1 2022.

- $209.7 Million Cash and Cash Equivalents at March 31, 2022 –

- Over 120 Patients Now Enrolled in Phase 3 Program -

AUSTIN, Texas, May 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cassava Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAVA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on Alzheimer’s disease, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a clinical update on its Phase 3 clinical program of simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease. Simufilam is Cassava Sciences’ lead drug candidate for the proposed treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Net loss was $17.5 million, or $0.44 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.09 per share, for the same period in 2021. Net cash used in operations was $23.5 million during the first quarter of 2022, including over $10 million of contractual pre-payments. Pre-payments are amounts paid for in advance of future research and development (R&D) services.

“We’re seeing an uptick in the rate of patient enrollment,” said Remi Barbier, President & CEO. “In part, the pandemic challenged some clinical sites, from staffing shortages to operational gaps. We hope these challenges are in the rearview mirror as we continue to move forward with our Phase 3 studies of simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease, while keeping an eye on the balance sheet.”

Financial Results for First Quarter 2022

• At March 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were $209.7 million, with no debt.
  
  
• Net loss was $17.5 million, or $0.44 per share. This compares to a net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.09 per share, for the same period in 2021. Net loss increased compared to the prior period due primarily to a significant increase in our R&D activities and G&A expenses.
  
  
• Net cash used in operations was $23.5 million during the first quarter of 2022.
  
  
• Net cash use in operations for the first half 2022 is now expected to be approximately $35 to $40 million, including significant (over $10 million) contractual pre-payments made to R&D vendors for future services, such as our contract research organization for the Phase 3 clinical program of simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease.
  
  
• Research and development (R&D) expenses were $14.9 million. This compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2021. R&D expenses increased compared to the prior period due primarily to increased activities and expenses related to clinical studies, clinical trial supplies and support functions and personnel expenses.
  
  
• General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $2.9 million. This compared to $1.0 million for the same period in 2021. G&A expenses increased compared to the prior period due primarily to increased activities and expenses related to legal services and depreciation and amortization.
  

Overview of On-going Phase 3 Clinical Program
Our Phase 3 program consists of two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of simufilam in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Both Phase 3 studies have Special Protocol Assessments (SPA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A total of over 120 subjects have now been enrolled in our Phase 3 studies. Studies are being conducted in over 115 clinical trial sites across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

Overview of Each On-going Phase 3 Study - RETHINK-ALZ and REFOCUS-ALZ
Our Phase 3 study called “RETHINK-ALZ” is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral simufilam 100 mg in enhancing cognition and slowing functional decline over 52 weeks. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study plans to enroll approximately 750 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Details of the RETHINK-ALZ Phase 3 study include:

• Subjects are randomized (1:1) to simufilam 100 mg or placebo twice daily.
• The co-primary efficacy endpoints are ADAS-Cog12 (a cognitive scale) and ADCS-ADL (a functional scale). A secondary efficacy endpoint is iADRS, a clinical tool that combines cognitive and functional scores from ADAS-Cog & ADCS-ADL.

Our Phase 3 study called “REFOCUS-ALZ” is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral simufilam 100 mg and 50 mg over 76 weeks. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study plans to enroll approximately 1,000 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Details of the REFOCUS-ALZ Phase 3 study, include:

• Subjects are randomized (1:1:1) to simufilam 100 mg, 50 mg, or placebo twice daily.
• The co-primary efficacy endpoints are ADAS-Cog12 (a cognitive scale) and ADCS-ADL (a functional scale). A secondary efficacy endpoint is iADRS, a clinical tool that combines cognitive and functional scores from ADAS-Cog & ADCS-ADL.

Open-label Study – closed enrollment

In March 2020, we initiated a long-term, open-label study to evaluate simufilam, our lead drug candidate, in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The study is intended to monitor the long-term safety and tolerability of simufilam 100 mg twice daily for 12 or more months. The open-label study has reached its final target enrollment of approximately 200 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease. We expect to announce full study results second half 2022.

Cognition Maintenance Study (CMS) – on-going
In May 2021, we initiated a Cognition Maintenance Study (CMS). This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of simufilam in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Study participants are randomized (1:1) to simufilam or placebo for six months. To enroll in the CMS, patients must have previously completed 12 months or more of open-label treatment with simufilam. The CMS is designed to evaluate simufilam’s effects on cognition and health outcomes in Alzheimer’s patients who continue with drug treatment versus patients who discontinue drug treatment. The target enrollment for the CMS is approximately 100 subjects. Over 75 subjects have been enrolled in the CMS and 35 have completed the study.

SavaDx – on-going
SavaDx, is an early-stage program focused on detecting the presence of Alzheimer’s disease from a small sample of blood. For business, technical and personnel reasons, we continue to prioritize the development of simufilam, our lead drug candidate, over SavaDx.

About Simufilam
Simufilam (sim-uh-FILL-am) is a proprietary, small molecule (oral) drug that restores the normal shape and function of altered filamin A (FLNA) protein in the brain. Cassava Sciences owns worldwide development and commercial rights to its research programs in Alzheimer’s disease, and related technologies, without royalty obligations to any third party.

About Cassava Sciences, Inc.
Cassava Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas. Our mission is to detect and treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Our novel science is based on stabilizing – but not removing – a critical protein in the brain. For more information, please visit: https://www.CassavaSciences.com  

For More Information Contact:
Eric Schoen, Chief Financial Officer, (512) 501-2450, or
eschoen@CassavaSciences.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to: our strategy and plans; expected cash use in future periods, including expected cash use for operations in the first half of 2022; the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; the status of current and future clinical studies with simufilam; the timing, enrollment, duration, geography and other details of a Phase 3 clinical program with simufilam; plans to release full results of our open-label clinical study and the timing thereof; the development path for SavaDx and the use of alternative methods of detection; and potential benefits, if any, of our product candidates. These statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “would”, “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Our clinical results from earlier-stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later-stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements or any scientific data we present or publish.

Such statements are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events. Such statements speak only as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, those risks relating to the ability to conduct or complete clinical studies on expected timelines, to demonstrate the specificity, safety, efficacy or potential health benefits of our product candidates, the severity and duration of health care precautions given the COVID-19 pandemic, any unanticipated impacts of the pandemic on our business operations, and including those described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and future reports to be filed with the SEC. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations in any forward-looking statement. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements and events discussed in this news release are inherently uncertain and may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Except as required by law, we disclaim any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this news release. For further information regarding these and other risks related to our business, investors should consult our filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

– Financial Tables Follow –

CASSAVA SCIENCES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three months ended March 31,
	2022				2021
Operating expenses
Research and development, net of grant reimbursement	$	14,906			$	2,529
General and administrative		2,915				1,004
Total operating expenses		17,821				3,533
Operating loss		(17,821	)			(3,533	)
Interest income		31				7
Other income, net		263				—
Net loss	$	(17,527	)		$	(3,526	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.44	)		$	(0.09	)
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted		39,962				37,721
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
	March 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	209,693			$	233,437
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		12,507				11,045
Total current assets		222,200				244,482
Property and equipment, net		20,863				20,616
Operating lease right-of-use assets		188				210
Intangible assets, net		940				1,075
Other assets		—				399
Total assets	$	244,191			$	266,782
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,332			$	7,126
Accrued development expense		2,925				2,803
Accrued compensation and benefits		172				1,877
Operating lease liabilities, current		99				97
Other accrued liabilities		261				631
Total current liabilities		6,789				12,534
Operating lease liabilities, non-current		114				139
Other non- current liabilities		194				194
Total liabilities		7,097				12,867
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock and additional paid-in-capital		461,927				461,221
Accumulated deficit		(224,833	)			(207,306	)
Total stockholders' equity		237,094				253,915
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	244,191			$	266,782

FAQ

What were Cassava Sciences' financial results for Q1 2022?

In Q1 2022, Cassava Sciences reported a net loss of $17.5 million, or $0.44 per share, compared to $3.5 million, or $0.09 per share, in the same period of 2021.

How much cash does Cassava Sciences have as of March 31, 2022?

As of March 31, 2022, Cassava Sciences reported cash and cash equivalents of $209.7 million.

What is the status of the Phase 3 clinical program for simufilam?

The Phase 3 program for simufilam is currently enrolling over 120 patients across more than 115 clinical trial sites.

What are the expected operational cash uses for Cassava Sciences in H1 2022?

Cassava Sciences anticipates net cash used in operations to be approximately $35 to $40 million for the first half of 2022.