Spruce Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

Spruce Biosciences (SPRB) reported Q2 2024 financial results and provided corporate updates. Key highlights include:

1. Strategic collaboration with HMNC Brain Health to develop tildacerfont for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

2. Topline data from CAHmelia-204 and CAHptain-205 studies of tildacerfont in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) expected in Q4 2024.

3. Cash runway through the end of 2025 with $69.7 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024.

4. Q2 2024 financial results: Collaboration revenue of $1.6 million, R&D expenses of $8.1 million, G&A expenses of $3.6 million, and net loss of $9.2 million.

5. Anticipated End of Phase 2 meeting with FDA in H1 2025.

Positive

• Strategic collaboration with HMNC Brain Health to develop tildacerfont for MDD
• Cash runway extended through the end of 2025
• Decrease in R&D expenses from $13.1 million to $8.1 million year-over-year in Q2
• Reduction in net loss from $12.8 million to $9.2 million year-over-year in Q2

Negative

• Decrease in collaboration revenue from $2.2 million to $1.6 million year-over-year in Q2
• Increase in G&A expenses from $3.0 million to $3.6 million year-over-year in Q2

Insights

Financial Analyst

Spruce Biosciences' Q2 2024 results show a mixed financial picture. While the company reported a reduction in net loss to $9.2 million for Q2 2024 from $12.8 million in Q2 2023, this was primarily driven by decreased R&D expenses due to study completions and terminations. The cash position of $69.7 million provides runway through 2025, which is important for upcoming milestones. However, the decline in collaboration revenue to $1.6 million from $2.2 million year-over-year is concerning. The strategic collaboration with HMNC Brain Health for MDD treatment could potentially diversify revenue streams, but its impact remains to be seen. Investors should closely monitor the upcoming Q4 2024 trial results, as positive outcomes could significantly impact the company's valuation and future prospects.

Medical Research Analyst

The upcoming Q4 2024 readouts for tildacerfont in CAH are critical inflection points for Spruce Biosciences. The CAHmelia-204 study, focusing on glucocorticoid reduction, could potentially lead to registration if successful. The CAHptain-205 study, evaluating higher doses (200mg BID and 400mg BID) in adults and pediatrics, is particularly interesting as it addresses the limitations observed in the CAHmelia-203 study. Positive results from these trials could position tildacerfont as a first-in-class treatment for CAH, addressing a significant unmet need. The expansion into MDD through the HMNC collaboration is an intriguing move, leveraging tildacerfont's mechanism as a CRF1 receptor antagonist. This diversification could mitigate risk and open new market opportunities, but efficacy in this new indication remains to be proven.

Market Research Analyst

Spruce Biosciences is at a pivotal juncture with its lead asset, tildacerfont. The CAH market, while niche, represents a significant opportunity due to the lack of approved non-steroidal treatments. Positive results from the upcoming trials could position Spruce as a leader in this space. The collaboration with HMNC for MDD is a strategic move into a much larger market, potentially broadening the company's appeal to investors. However, competition in the MDD space is fierce and success is far from guaranteed. The company's focus on endocrine and neurological disorders with unmet needs is commendable, but it also carries higher risk. Investors should weigh the potential rewards against the risks of clinical trial failures, which could significantly impact the company's valuation and future prospects.

Announced Strategic Collaboration with HMNC Brain Health GmbH (HMNC) to Develop Tildacerfont for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Topline Data from CAHmelia-204 Study of Tildacerfont in Adult Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Anticipated in Q4 2024

Topline Data from CAHptain-205 Study of Tildacerfont in Adult and Pediatric CAH Anticipated in Q4 2024

Cash Runway Through the End of 2025

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spruce Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRB), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for endocrine and neurological disorders with significant unmet medical need, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and provided corporate updates.

“We remain committed to advancing the development of tildacerfont and opening a new chapter in the management of CAH with a potentially life-changing medicine for patients and their families,” said Javier Szwarcberg, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Executive Officer of Spruce. “In the fourth quarter of 2024, we plan to report primary efficacy and safety data through week 24 plus interim data from the open-label extension of the CAHmelia-204 study, which is assessing glucocorticoid (GC) reduction, a potentially registrational endpoint in adult CAH patients on supraphysiologic GC doses with normal or near normal levels of androstenedione (A4).”

Dr. Szwarcberg added, “At the same time, we will also report topline data from CAHptain-205, which will include week 4 efficacy and safety measures on 200mg twice-daily (BID) and 400mg BID doses of tildacerfont in adults, adolescents and children with CAH and elevated levels of A4. Following our analysis of results from the CAHmelia-203 study, which evaluated doses of tildacerfont up to 200mg once-daily (QD) in adults with CAH and highly elevated levels of A4, we believe that tildacerfont has the potential to address severe hyperandrogenemia in CAH at higher doses taken BID. If results from CAHmelia-204 and CAHptain-205 are positive, we intend to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and comparable foreign regulatory authorities to align on the next steps for our CAH program.”

Corporate Updates

• Announced Strategic Collaboration with HMNC to Develop Personalized Treatment for MDD: Spruce entered into a license, development and option agreement with HMNC to develop Spruce’s investigational product candidate, tildacerfont, a second-generation CRF₁ receptor antagonist, with HMNC’s companion diagnostic, the proprietary Cortibon Genetic Selection Tool (Cortibon), as a personalized medicine with potential for the treatment of MDD. Under the terms of the agreement, HMNC will fund and conduct a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study of tildacerfont in MDD patients, who will be screened using Cortibon. Spruce has an option to in-license exclusive worldwide rights to Cortibon after completion of the study, if results are positive.

• Poster Highlighting Final Results from Phase 2 POWER Study of Tildacerfont for the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Presented at ENDO 2024 Annual Meeting: Ricardo Azziz, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, presented final results from the Phase 2 POWER study, which demonstrated the ability of tildacerfont to reduce dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels over 12 weeks in women with PCOS. Additionally, an observed increase in serum sex hormone binding globulin demonstrated that tildacerfont may potentially lower levels of free, bioactive sex hormones such as testosterone. Tildacerfont was well-tolerated, with no safety signals observed. The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. The poster presentation is available on the company’s website.

• Poster Highlighting Impact of Geography and Insurance on Healthcare Utilization Preferences of Individuals with CAH Presented at ENDO 2024 Annual Meeting: Prasanth Surampudi, M.D., Associate Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at U.C. Davis School of Medicine, presented findings related to the need for increased partnership between primary care physicians and endocrinologists as well as increased education among CAH patients and advocacy groups of specialty care to improve biochemical outcomes that reduce risks of morbidity and mortality in adult CAH patients. The poster presentation is available on the company’s website.

• Poster Highlighting Pediatric and Adult Endocrinology Practices to Improve Biochemical Outcomes in Adults with CAH Presented at ENDO 2024 Annual Meeting: Wenyu Huang, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Amir Hamrahian, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Johns Hopkins University, presented findings exploring the risks associated with CAH diagnosis and treatment, including health impacts of hyperandrogenemia and serious adverse events with long-term use of supraphysiologic GC doses. The poster presentation is available on the company’s website.

Anticipated Upcoming Milestones

• Topline results from the CAHmelia-204 clinical trial of tildacerfont 200mg QD in adult classic CAH patients on supraphysiologic doses of GCs with normal or near normal levels of A4 anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024

• Topline results from the CAHptain-205 clinical trial of tildacerfont 200mg BID and 400mg BID adult and pediatric cohorts anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024

• End of Phase 2 (EOP2) meeting with the U.S. FDA anticipated in the first half of 2025

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

• Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024 were $69.7 million. Cash and cash equivalents are expected to allow the company to fund its current operating plan through the end of 2025.

• Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue was $1.6 million and $3.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $2.2 million and $4.1 million for the same periods in 2023. The collaboration revenue reflects the partial recognition of the $15.0 million upfront payment the company received in April 2023 in connection with the collaboration and license agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical.

• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 were $8.1 million and $18.4 million, respectively, compared to $13.1 million and $24.8 million for the same periods in 2023. The overall decrease in R&D expenses was primarily driven by the decrease in clinical development and manufacturing expenses related to the termination of the CAHmelia-203 study, completion of enrollment in the company’s CAHmelia-204 study, and completion of the Phase 2 POWER study in PCOS.

• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 were $3.6 million and $7.9 million, respectively, compared to $3.0 million and $6.5 million for the same periods in 2023.

• Total Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 were $11.6 million and $26.3 million, respectively, compared to $16.1 million and $31.3 million for the same periods in 2023. Operating expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $1.7 million and $3.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $1.2 million and $2.3 million for the same periods in 2023.

• Net Loss: Net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $9.2 million and $20.8 million, respectively, compared to $12.8 million and $25.6 million for the same periods in 2023.

About Spruce Biosciences

Spruce Biosciences is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for endocrine and neurological disorders with significant unmet medical need. Spruce is developing its product candidate, tildacerfont, an oral, second-generation CRF₁ receptor antagonist, for the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and major depressive disorder (MDD). To learn more, visit www.sprucebio.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the design, results, conduct, progress and timing of Spruce’s clinical trials; Spruce’s expectations regarding reporting results of its clinical trials in 2024; Spruce’s plans to meet with the FDA to discuss the potential registrational path forward of tildacerfont for adult and pediatric classic CAH; and Spruce’s product candidate, strategy and regulatory matters. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate”, “will”, “potential”, “suggest”, “plan”, “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Spruce’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Spruce’s business in general, the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic events, and the other risks described in Spruce’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Spruce undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

SPRUCE BIOSCIENCES, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		June 30,				December 31,
		2024				2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	69,683			$	96,339
Prepaid expenses			2,698				3,876
Other current assets			1,531				1,968
Total current assets			73,912				102,183
Right-of-use assets			1,060				1,181
Other assets			547				582
Total assets		$	75,519			$	103,946
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	682			$	3,332
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			10,683				14,600
Term loan, current portion			1,622				1,622
Deferred revenue, current portion			1,298				4,911
Total current liabilities			14,285				24,465
Lease liabilities, net of current portion			880				1,019
Term loan, net of current portion			923				1,717
Other liabilities			262				236
Total liabilities			16,350				27,437
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023			—				—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 41,302,599 and 41,029,832 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			4				4
Additional paid-in capital			277,203				273,737
Accumulated deficit			(218,038	)			(197,232	)
Total stockholders’ equity			59,169				76,509
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	75,519			$	103,946

SPRUCE BIOSCIENCES, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Collaboration revenue		$	1,610			$	2,165			$	3,612			$	4,129
Operating expenses:
Research and development			8,090				13,126				18,407				24,838
General and administrative			3,556				3,011				7,874				6,462
Total operating expenses			11,646				16,137				26,281				31,300
Loss from operations			(10,036	)			(13,972	)			(22,669	)			(27,171	)
Interest expense			(83	)			(127	)			(180	)			(258	)
Interest income and other expense, net			938				1,275				2,043				1,814
Net loss			(9,181	)			(12,824	)			(20,806	)			(25,615	)
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax:
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities			—				133				—				503
Total comprehensive loss		$	(9,181	)		$	(12,691	)		$	(20,806	)		$	(25,112	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(0.22	)		$	(0.32	)		$	(0.51	)		$	(0.71	)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted			41,163,209				40,547,925				41,129,719				36,247,931

 

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Media

Katie Beach Oltsik

Inizio Evoke Comms

(937) 232-4889

Katherine.Beach@inizioevoke.com

media@sprucebio.com

Investors

Samir Gharib

President and CFO

Spruce Biosciences, Inc.

investors@sprucebio.com

Source: Spruce Biosciences, Inc.

FAQ

When will Spruce Biosciences (SPRB) report topline data for its CAH studies?

Spruce Biosciences expects to report topline data from both the CAHmelia-204 and CAHptain-205 studies of tildacerfont in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) in the fourth quarter of 2024.

What is Spruce Biosciences' (SPRB) cash position as of Q2 2024?

As of June 30, 2024, Spruce Biosciences reported cash and cash equivalents of $69.7 million, which is expected to fund its current operating plan through the end of 2025.

What was Spruce Biosciences' (SPRB) net loss for Q2 2024?

Spruce Biosciences reported a net loss of $9.2 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared to $12.8 million for the same period in 2023.

What new collaboration did Spruce Biosciences (SPRB) announce in Q2 2024?

Spruce Biosciences announced a strategic collaboration with HMNC Brain Health GmbH to develop tildacerfont as a personalized treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).