Cassava Sciences Reports Second Quarter Financial Results for 2022, Mid-year Corporate Update and Interim Analysis of Open-label Study
Cassava Sciences (SAVA) provided an update on its Phase 3 clinical trials for simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease, announcing over 400 patients are now enrolled. An interim analysis of 100 patients who completed 12 months of open-label treatment showed the drug was safe and well tolerated, with average ADAS-Cog11 scores improving by 1.5 points. Financially, the company reported a net loss of $19.3 million for Q2 2022, up from $5.1 million the previous year. As of June 30, 2022, Cassava had $197.2 million in cash and equivalents, supporting ongoing R&D efforts.
- Over 400 patients enrolled in Phase 3 trials for simufilam.
- Interim results indicate 63% of patients improved ADAS-Cog11 scores.
- Cash and cash equivalents of $197.2 million as of June 30, 2022.
- Net loss for Q2 2022 was $19.3 million, an increase from $5.1 million in Q2 2021.
- R&D expenses surged to $16.9 million, up from $3.9 million the previous year.
- Phase 3 Program - Over 400 Patients Are Now Enrolled in Our Phase 3 Clinical Studies.
- Open-label Study – Results of an Interim Analysis on the First 100 Patients Who Have Completed at Least 12 Months of Open-label Treatment with Simufilam Follow:
- Drug Appears Safe and Well Tolerated.
- Overall ADAS-Cog11 Scores Improved an Average of 1.5 Points (S.D. ± 6.6; P<0.05)
63% of the 100 Patients Showed an Improvement in ADAS-Cog11 Scores, and This Group of Patients Improved an Average of 5.6 Points (S.D. ± 3.8).- An Additional
21% of the 100 Patients Declined Less Than 5 Points on ADAS-Cog11, and This Group of Patients Declined an Average of 2.7 Points (S.D. ± 1.4).
- Cognition Maintenance Study - Completion of Patient Enrollment is Expected Q4 2022.
- Financial Results - Net Loss for Q2 2022 Was
$19.3 Million , or$0.48 Per Share. - Cash Position -
$197.2 Million of Cash and Cash Equivalents at June 30, 2022.
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cassava Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAVA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on Alzheimer’s disease, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, a mid-year corporate update, and interim clinical results of an open-label study with simufilam. Simufilam is Cassava Sciences’ lead drug candidate for the proposed treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. SavaDx is Cassava Sciences’ investigational diagnostic candidate to detect Alzheimer’s disease from a simple blood draw.
“I’m pleased with our operating performance in the first half of 2022,” said Remi Barbier, President & CEO. “I’m also humbled by the hard work of our team members and clinical partners. Persistence and a focus on performance are key when you’re trying to beat Alzheimer’s disease.”
Update on Patient Enrollment for Phase 3 Program
A total of over 400 patients are now enrolled in our on-going Phase 3 program of simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease. Enrollment is almost evenly split between the two Phase 3 studies.
Overview of Phase 3 Program with Simufilam in Alzheimer's Disease
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. Both studies have the same co-primary efficacy endpoints: ADAS-Cog12 (a cognitive scale) and ADCS-ADL (a functional scale). A secondary efficacy endpoint for both studies is iADRS, a clinical tool that combines cognitive and functional scores from ADAS-Cog & ADCS-ADL. Patients are now being screened in clinical trial sites in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia.
RETHINK-ALZ is the trade name of our 52-week Phase 3 study. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is designed to evaluate the safety & efficacy of oral simufilam 100 mg or placebo, twice daily, over 52 weeks in approximately 750 patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
REFOCUS-ALZ is the trade name of our 76-week Phase 3 study. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is designed to evaluate the safety & efficacy of oral simufilam 100 mg, 50 mg or placebo, twice daily, over 76 weeks in approximately 1,000 patients with Alzheimer’s.
Future Open-label Extension Study for the Phase 3 Program
In the second half of 2022, we expect to initiate an open-label extension study for our Phase 3 program. This new study is designed to provide no-cost access to simufilam to patients with Alzheimer’s disease who have successfully completed a Phase 3 study of simufilam.
On-going Open-label Study with Simufilam in Alzheimer's Disease
In March 2020, we initiated a long-term, open-label study to evaluate simufilam 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 over 12 months or more. This study has reached its target enrollment of approximately 200 patients. We expect all patients for this study will complete drug treatment in Q4 2022. We expect to announce top-line clinical results for this study approximately year-end 2022.
On-going Open-label Study - Interim Analysis on 100 Subjects at 12 Months
An interim analysis was conducted on the first 100 evaluable patients who completed at least 12 months of open-label treatment with simufilam 100 mg twice daily. Top-line results of this interim analysis show that from baseline to month-12:
- Drug appears safe and well tolerated.
- Overall ADAS-Cog11 scores improved an average of 1.5 points (S.D. ± 6.6; P<0.05)
63% of the 100 patients showed an improvement in ADAS-Cog11 scores, and this group of patients improved an average of 5.6 points (S.D. ± 3.8).- An additional
21% of the 100 patients declined less than 5 points on ADAS-Cog11, and this group of patients declined an average of 2.7 points (S.D. ± 1.4).
The 11-item Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) was originally developed by the research community to measure cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. ADAS-Cog is often used in clinical studies of patients with Alzheimer’s because it can help determine incremental improvements or declines in cognition over time.
Standard deviation (“S.D.”) is a measure of how dispersed the data is in relation to the average. A low standard deviation generally shows the data are closely clustered around the average. A high standard deviation generally shows that the data is widely spread.
All clinical data from our open-label study are inherently exploratory in nature and, as with all open-label data, should be interpreted with caution. Data results from our open-label study does not constitute, and should not be interpreted as, evidence of therapeutic benefit for simufilam.
Cognition Maintenance Study (CMS) with Simufilam in Alzheimer's Disease
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. 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. To enroll in the CMS, patients must have previously completed 12 months or more of open-label treatment with simufilam.
The target enrollment for the CMS is 100 or more patients. Over 50 patients have now completed this study. Our goal is to complete patient enrollment for the CMS in Q4 2022. We expect to announce clinical results of the CMS approximately third-quarter 2023.
SavaDx
Our investigational product candidate, called SavaDx, is an early-stage program focused on detecting the presence of Alzheimer’s disease from a simple blood draw. SavaDx is currently designed as an antibody-based detection system for altered filamin A (FLNA) protein. Working with third parties, we continue to evaluate an innovative method to detect FLNA without the use of antibodies. For business, technical and personnel reasons, we continue to prioritize the development of simufilam, our novel drug candidate, over SavaDx.
Financial Update
Net loss for the second quarter 2022 was
Financial Results for Second Quarter 2022
- At June 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were
$197.2 million , with no debt. - Net loss was
$19.3 million , or$0.48 per share. This compares to a net loss of$5.1 million , or$0.13 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 for a Phase 3 program of simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease. - Net cash used in operations was
$34.6 million during the first six months of 2022. - Net cash use in operations for full year 2022 is expected to be approximately
$80 t o$90 million . - Research and development (R&D) expenses were
$16.9 million . This compared to$3.9 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 and pre-clinical studies and support functions and personnel expenses. - General and administrative (G&A) expenses were
$3.0 million . This compared to$1.2 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 as well as depreciation and amortization.
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 Please 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; 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 clinical results of our open-label study or CMS study, and the timing thereof; the development path for SavaDx and the use of an alternative method 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 interim data and analysis should not be relied upon as predictive of full study results for this study, or any other study. 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 June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development, net of grant reimbursement | $ | 16,948 | $ | 3,901 | $ | 31,854 | $ | 6,430 | |||||||
| General and administrative | 2,969 | 1,237 | 5,884 | 2,241 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 19,917 | 5,138 | 37,738 | 8,671 | |||||||||||
| Operating loss | (19,917 | ) | (5,138 | ) | (37,738 | ) | (8,671 | ) | |||||||
| Interest income | 314 | 13 | 345 | 20 | |||||||||||
| Other income, net | 275 | — | 538 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (19,328 | ) | $ | (5,125 | ) | $ | (36,855 | ) | $ | (8,651 | ) | |||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.92 | ) | $ | (0.22 | ) | |||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted | 40,015 | 39,953 | 39,989 | 38,843 | |||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||||||||
| (unaudited, in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 197,232 | $ | 233,437 | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,969 | 11,045 | |||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 204,201 | 244,482 | |||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 22,155 | 20,616 | |||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 166 | 210 | |||||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 859 | 1,075 | |||||||||||||
| Other assets | — | 399 | |||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 227,381 | $ | 266,782 | |||||||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | |||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 4,758 | $ | 7,126 | |||||||||||
| Accrued development expense | 3,318 | 2,803 | |||||||||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits | 176 | 1,877 | |||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current | 100 | 97 | |||||||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | 370 | 631 | |||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 8,722 | 12,534 | |||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, non-current | 88 | 139 | |||||||||||||
| Other non- current liabilities | 201 | 194 | |||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 9,011 | 12,867 | |||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | |||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and additional paid-in-capital | 462,531 | 461,221 | |||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (244,161 | ) | (207,306 | ) | |||||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 218,370 | 253,915 | |||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 227,381 | $ | 266,782 | |||||||||||
FAQ
What were the financial results for Cassava Sciences in Q2 2022?
How many patients are enrolled in Cassava's Phase 3 studies?
What were the interim results of the open-label study for simufilam?
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