Soleno Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update and Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Soleno Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SLNO) reported its Q2 2024 financial results and provided a corporate update. Key highlights include:

1. Submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for DCCR to treat Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).
2. Closing of a $158.7 million public offering.
3. Granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for DCCR by the FDA.
4. Presentation of Study C602 data at ENDO 2024.
5. Inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index.

Financial results show $294.6 million in cash and equivalents as of June 30, 2024. R&D expenses increased to $12.3 million for Q2 2024, up from $5.1 million in Q2 2023. G&A expenses rose to $10.9 million from $3.2 million year-over-year. Net loss for Q2 2024 was $21.9 million or $0.57 per share.

Positive

• Submitted New Drug Application (NDA) to FDA for DCCR in treating Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Closed $158.7 million public offering, strengthening financial position
• Granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by FDA for DCCR
• Included in Russell 3000® Index, potentially increasing visibility to investors
• Strong cash position of $294.6 million as of June 30, 2024

Negative

• Increased net loss to $21.9 million in Q2 2024 from $8.5 million in Q2 2023
• R&D expenses more than doubled to $12.3 million in Q2 2024 from $5.1 million in Q2 2023
• G&A expenses significantly increased to $10.9 million in Q2 2024 from $3.2 million in Q2 2023
• Contingent consideration liability increased by $2.0 million to $13.6 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

Soleno Therapeutics' Q2 2024 results reveal significant progress and financial positioning. The company's cash position of $294.6 million is robust, bolstered by a successful $158.7 million public offering. This strong balance sheet provides ample runway for DCCR commercialization.

R&D expenses increased to $12.3 million for Q2, up from $5.1 million in Q2 2023, reflecting investments in NDA submission and commercial preparation. G&A expenses also rose to $10.9 million from $3.2 million, primarily due to increased personnel and commercial readiness costs.

The net loss widened to $21.9 million ($0.57 per share) from $8.5 million in Q2 2023, indicating higher spending as the company approaches potential commercialization. However, increased interest income partially offset expenses, demonstrating effective cash management.

Medical Research Analyst

Soleno's progress with DCCR for Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is noteworthy. The NDA submission to the FDA marks a important milestone, potentially bringing a novel treatment to PWS patients. The Breakthrough Therapy Designation granted by the FDA underscores the drug's potential significance in addressing an unmet medical need.

The presentation of data from Study C602 at ENDO 2024 suggests ongoing scientific validation. While specific efficacy details aren't provided, the continued advancement through regulatory stages and data dissemination at a major endocrinology conference are positive indicators for DCCR's potential.

The focus on hyperphagia in PWS patients aged 4 and older addresses a critical symptom of this rare genetic disorder, potentially improving quality of life for patients if approved.

Market Research Analyst

Soleno's inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index is a significant development, potentially increasing visibility and liquidity for the stock. This could attract more institutional investors and improve trading volumes.

The company's commercial preparation efforts, including market access strategies and sales force sizing, indicate confidence in potential FDA approval. However, investors should note that launch success is not guaranteed and will depend on various factors including pricing, reimbursement and adoption rates.

The contingent consideration liability of $13.6 million tied to future sales milestones suggests management's optimism about DCCR's commercial potential. The increase in this liability's fair value implies growing confidence in achieving these milestones, but also represents a future financial obligation.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. (Soleno) (NASDAQ: SLNO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases, today provided a corporate update, and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Corporate Highlights

• Submitted New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Diazoxide Choline Extended-Release (DCCR) for the treatment of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) in individuals four years and older who have hyperphagia.
• Closed on an approximately $158.7 million underwritten public offering of 3,450,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $46.00 per share, which includes the exercise in full by the underwriters of their overallotment option to purchase additional shares.
• Granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA for DCCR for the treatment of adults and children ages four years and older with genetically confirmed PWS who have hyperphagia.
• Presented data from the randomized withdrawal period of Study C602 of DCCR in PWS in an oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO 2024), held June 1-4, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
• Joined the broad-market Russell 3000® Index at the conclusion of the 2024 Russell US Indexes annual reconstitution, effective July 1, 2024.
  

“The second quarter of 2024 saw substantial progress for Soleno, highlighted by submission of an NDA to the FDA for DCCR. We look forward to continuing to work with the FDA,” said Anish Bhatnagar, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Soleno Therapeutics. “Our launch teams are diligently preparing for a potential launch of DCCR, including development of market access strategies, sales force sizing, and identifying medical education needs. With a strong balance sheet, we are well-positioned to commercialize DCCR and deliver a much-needed new therapy to patients with PWS.”

Financial Results

Soleno’s current research and development efforts are primarily focused on advancing its lead product candidate, DCCR, for the treatment of PWS, through late-stage clinical development.

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 Financial Results

As of June 30, 2024, Soleno had $294.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Research and development expense was $12.3 and $26.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.1 and $10.5 million in the same periods of 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased personnel costs, expenditures in support of our NDA submission and investments in supply chain activities in preparation for commercial launch.

General and administrative expense was $10.9 and $19.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $3.2 and $6.0 million in the same periods of 2023. The increase was primarily related to higher non-cash stock-based compensation expense (see table), higher costs due to an increase in personnel and higher professional services expenses and costs associated with preparation for commercial launch.

Soleno is obligated to make cash payments of up to a maximum of $21.2 million to the former Essentialis stockholders upon the achievement of certain commercial milestones associated with the sales of DCCR in accordance with the terms of our merger agreement with Essentialis. The fair value of the liability for the contingent consideration payable by us achieving two commercial sales milestones of $100 million and $200 million in cumulative revenue in future years was estimated to be $13.6 million as of June 30, 2024, a $2.0 million increase from the estimate as of December 31, 2023. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the estimate increased by $0.6 million from the $8.8 million estimate as of December 31, 2022.

Total other income, net, was $3.0 and $5.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and $0.2 and $0.3 million in the same periods of 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in interest income driven by higher cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities during the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Net loss was approximately $21.9 million and $43.3 million, or $0.57 and $1.16 per basic and diluted share, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and $8.5 and $16.8 million, or $0.81 and $1.69 per basic and diluted share, in the same periods of 2023.

About PWS
The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA estimates that PWS occurs in one in every 15,000 live births. The hallmark symptom of this disorder is hyperphagia, a chronic and life-threatening feeling of intense, persistent hunger, food pre-occupation, extreme drive to food seek and consume food that severely diminish the quality of life for patients with PWS and their families. Additional characteristics of PWS include behavioral problems, cognitive disabilities, low muscle tone, short stature (when not treated with growth hormone), the accumulation of excess body fat, developmental delays, and incomplete sexual development. Hyperphagia can lead to significant morbidities (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and mortality (e.g., stomach rupture, choking, accidental death due to food seeking behavior). In a global survey conducted by the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, 96.5% of respondents (parent and caregivers) rated hyperphagia and 92.9% rated body composition as either the most important or a very important symptom to be relieved by a new medicine. There are currently no approved therapies to treat the hyperphagia/appetite, metabolic, cognitive function, or behavioral aspects of the disorder.

About DCCR (Diazoxide Choline) Extended-Release Tablets
DCCR is a novel, proprietary extended-release dosage form containing the crystalline salt of diazoxide and is administered once-daily. The parent molecule, diazoxide, has been used for decades in thousands of patients in a few rare diseases in neonates, infants, children and adults, but has not been approved for use in PWS. Soleno conceived of and established extensive patent protection for the therapeutic use of diazoxide, diazoxide choline and DCCR in patients with PWS. The DCCR development program is supported by data from five completed Phase 1 clinical studies in healthy volunteers and three completed Phase 2 clinical studies, one of which was in patients with PWS. In the PWS Phase 3 clinical development program, DCCR showed promise in addressing hyperphagia, the hallmark symptom of PWS, as well as several other symptoms such as aggressive/destructive behaviors, fat mass and other metabolic parameters. Diazoxide choline has received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of PWS in the U.S. and E.U., and Fast Track and Breakthrough Designations in the U.S.

About Soleno Therapeutics, Inc.
Soleno is focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases. The company recently submitted an NDA to the FDA, supported by its Phase 3 development program, for its lead candidate, DCCR (diazoxide choline) extended-release tablets, a once-daily oral tablet for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). For more information, please visit www.soleno.life.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the timing of any regulatory process, filing of an NDA, or ultimate approvals and determining a path forward for DCCR for the treatment of PWS. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties associated with the projected timeline of our NDA submission, whether FDA will agree with our interpretation of the data or the adequacy of data to support an NDA, the FDA’s review of our NDA, market conditions, as well as risks and uncertainties inherent in Soleno’s business, including those described in the company's prior press releases and in the periodic reports it files with the SEC. The events and circumstances reflected in the company's forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, the company does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

Corporate Contact:
Brian Ritchie
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
212-915-2578

Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands except share and per share data)
	June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets	(Unaudited)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	57,024			$	169,681
Marketable securities		209,099				—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,379				1,677
Total current assets		267,502				171,358
Long-term assets
Property and equipment, net		19				12
Operating lease right-of-use assets		268				407
Intangible assets, net		7,777				8,749
Long-term marketable securities		28,482				-
Other long-term assets		83				165
Total assets	$	304,131			$	180,691
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,716			$	3,149
Accrued compensation		2,149				3,135
Accrued clinical trial site costs		1,863				3,393
Operating lease liabilities		296				273
Other current liabilities		1,126				1,555
Total current liabilities		9,150				11,505
Long-term liabilities
Contingent liability for Essentialis purchase price		13,587				11,549
Common stock purchase liability		637				—
Long-term lease liabilities		—				130
Total liabilities		23,374				23,184
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding		—				—
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,386,779 and 31,678,159 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		38				32
Additional paid-in-capital		600,534				433,885
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(153	)			-
Accumulated deficit		(319,662	)			(276,410	)
Total stockholders’ equity		280,757				157,507
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	304,131			$	180,691

Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (unaudited) (In thousands except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024				2023				2024				2023
Operating expenses
Research and development	$	12,342			$	5,141			$	26,944			$	10,457
General and administrative		10,889				3,169				19,361				6,023
Change in fair value of contingent consideration		1,637				313				2,038				612
Total operating expenses		24,868				8,623				48,343				17,092
Operating loss		(24,868	)			(8,623	)			(48,343	)			(17,092	)
Other income, net
Change in fair value of warrants liabilities		—				1				—				1
Interest income, net		3,014				147				5,091				260
Total other income, net		3,014				148				5,091				261
Net loss	$	(21,854	)		$	(8,475	)		$	(43,252	)		$	(16,831	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Net unrealized loss on marketable securities		(46	)			—				(151	)			—
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1	)			(16	)			(2	)			—
Total comprehensive loss	$	(21,901	)		$	(8,491	)		$	(43,405	)		$	(16,831	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.57	)		$	(0.81	)		$	(1.16	)		$	(1.69	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted net loss per common share		38,631,565				10,423,598				37,419,968				9,938,171

Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. Stock-based Compensation Expense (In thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Research and development	$	2,705		$	470		$	5,166		$	652
General and administrative		4,455			734			8,439			1,183
Total	$	7,160		$	1,204		$	13,605		$	1,835

FAQ

What was Soleno Therapeutics' (SLNO) cash position as of June 30, 2024?

Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO) reported $294.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024.

What was Soleno Therapeutics' (SLNO) net loss for Q2 2024?

Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO) reported a net loss of approximately $21.9 million, or $0.57 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024.

What major regulatory milestone did Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO) achieve for DCCR in Q2 2024?

Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO) submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for DCCR for the treatment of Prader-Willi Syndrome in individuals four years and older with hyperphagia.

How much did Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO) raise in its public offering in Q2 2024?

Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO) closed an approximately $158.7 million underwritten public offering of 3,450,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $46.00 per share.