Spruce Biosciences Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

Spruce Biosciences (Nasdaq: SPRB) reported third-quarter financial results for the period ending September 30, 2022. The company is advancing its clinical trials, approaching 50% enrollment in CAHmelia-203 and surpassing 25% in CAHmelia-204. Notable updates include the appointment of Dr. Saba Sile as Vice President of Clinical Development. Financially, Spruce had $90.4 million in cash, with total operating expenses of $11.6 million for Q3 2022, consistent with Q3 2021. The net loss remained stable at $11.4 million, indicating ongoing investment in R&D for therapies targeting rare endocrine disorders.

Positive

• Approaching 50% enrollment in CAHmelia-203 clinical trial.
• Surpassed 25% enrollment in CAHmelia-204 clinical trial.
• Appointment of Dr. Saba Sile enhances clinical development expertise.

Negative

• Net loss of $11.4 million for Q3 2022, unchanged from Q3 2021.
• Total operating expenses increased to $11.6 million, reflecting ongoing financial pressure.

CAHmelia-203 Approaching 50% Enrollment; CAHmelia-204 Recently Surpassed 25% Enrollment

Appointment of Saba Sile, M.D., as Vice President of Clinical Development

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spruce Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRB), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for rare endocrine disorders with significant unmet medical need, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022 and provided corporate updates.

“The third quarter of 2022 was one of continuous execution and momentum on multiple fronts. We were pleased to have recently surpassed 25% enrollment in our CAHmelia-204 study and are approaching 50% enrollment in our CAHmelia-203 study,” said Javier Szwarcberg, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Executive Officer of Spruce Biosciences. “As we continue to advance our late-stage clinical pipeline of therapies for rare endocrine disorders, I am excited to welcome Dr. Saba Sile as our Vice President of Clinical Development. With her extensive background in directing clinical development across multiple rare disease programs, Dr. Sile will play a key role in delivering on the full potential of tildacerfont to bring therapeutic benefit to patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and other endocrine disorders.”

Recent Corporate Update

• Appointment of Saba Sile, M.D., as Vice President of Clinical Development: As Vice President of Clinical Development, Dr. Sile will report to Dr. Will Charlton, Chief Medical Officer, and lead global clinical development of tildacerfont. Dr. Sile is a seasoned clinical research and development physician with nearly two decades of experience directing and leading clinical development programs that span across multiple therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular, immunology, and rare disease programs. Dr. Sile joins Spruce from Horizon Therapeutics, where she served as Executive Medical Director of Clinical Development. Prior to Horizon, she held roles of increasing responsibility at Raptor Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences, and BioMarin Pharmaceutical. She earned an M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed Genetics and Nephrology fellowships at Vanderbilt University.

Anticipated Upcoming Milestones

• Topline results from the Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the first half of 2023

• Topline safety results from cohort 1 of the Phase 2 pediatric classic CAH clinical trial in the first half of 2023

• Topline results from the CAHmelia-203 clinical trial in adult classic CAH patients with elevated levels of androstenedione (A4) in the second half of 2023

• Topline results from the CAHmelia-204 clinical trial in adult classic CAH patients on supraphysiologic doses of glucocorticoids with normal or near normal levels of A4 in the second half of 2024

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

• Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2022, were $90.4 million.

• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, were $8.8 million and $26.4 million, respectively, compared to $8.6 million and $24.4 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2021. The overall increase in R&D expenses was primarily related to progressing clinical development of tildacerfont in adult classic CAH and the initiation of clinical programs in pediatric classic CAH and polycystic ovary syndrome.
  
  
• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, were $2.8 million and $8.8 million, respectively, compared to $2.8 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2021.
  
  
• Total Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, were $11.6 million and $35.2 million, respectively, compared to $11.4 million and $32.9 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2021. Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $0.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, compared to $1.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2021. When excluding depreciation and stock-based compensation expenses, total non-GAAP operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, were $10.8 million and $32.3 million, respectively, compared to $10.4 million and $29.8 million for the same periods in 2021.
  
  
• Net Loss: Net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $11.4 million and $35.0 million, respectively, compared to $11.4 million and $33.1 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2021.

About Spruce Biosciences

Spruce Biosciences is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for rare endocrine disorders with significant unmet medical need. Spruce is initially developing its wholly-owned product candidate, tildacerfont, as the potential first non-steroidal therapy for patients suffering from classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Classic CAH is a serious and life-threatening disease with no known novel therapies approved in approximately 50 years. Spruce is also developing tildacerfont for women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with primary adrenal androgen excess. To learn more, visit www.sprucebiosciences.com and follow us on Twitter @Spruce_Bio, 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 enrollment, results, conduct, progress and timing of Spruce’s clinical trials; the receipt of topline data from the same; and Dr. Sile’s role as Vice President of Clinical Development. 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”, “believe”, “potential” 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, including the COVID-19 pandemic, 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.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure

This release and the reconciliation tables included herein include non-GAAP total operating expenses, which excludes depreciation and stock-based compensation expenses. Spruce excludes depreciation and stock-based compensation expenses because management believes the exclusion of these items is helpful to investors to evaluate Spruce's recurring operational performance. Spruce management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to monitor and evaluate its operating results and trends on an on-going basis, and internally for operating, budgeting and financial planning purposes. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.

SPRUCE BIOSCIENCES, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		September 30, 2022				December 31, 2021
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	21,649			$	42,748
Short-term investments			68,751				46,221
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,786				2,926
Total current assets			93,186				91,895
Restricted cash			216				216
Operating lease right-of-use assets			1,229				1,479
Long-term investments			—				32,459
Other assets			667				437
Total assets		$	95,298			$	126,486
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	2,181			$	2,823
Term loan, current portion			1,216				—
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			8,604				6,048
Total current liabilities			12,001				8,871
Term loan, net of current portion			3,685				4,878
Operating lease liability, net of current portion			998				1,293
Other liabilities			139				73
Total liabilities			16,823				15,115
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021			—				—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021; 23,560,250 and 23,491,881 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			3				3
Additional paid-in capital			217,514				214,685
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(873	)			(184	)
Accumulated deficit			(138,169	)			(103,133	)
Total stockholders’ equity			78,475				111,371
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	95,298			$	126,486

SPRUCE BIOSCIENCES, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Operating expenses:
Research and development		$	8,791			$	8,607			$	26,359			$	24,440
General and administrative			2,766				2,793				8,814				8,491
Total operating expenses			11,557				11,400				35,173				32,931
Loss from operations			(11,557	)			(11,400	)			(35,173	)			(32,931	)
Interest expense			(110	)			(88	)			(291	)			(257	)
Interest and other income, net			266				41				428				80
Net loss		$	(11,401	)		$	(11,447	)		$	(35,036	)		$	(33,108	)
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities			(28	)			13				(689	)			(16	)
Comprehensive loss		$	(11,429	)		$	(11,434	)		$	(35,725	)		$	(33,124	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(0.48	)		$	(0.49	)		$	(1.49	)		$	(1.42	)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted			23,560,250				23,367,140				23,515,651				23,330,399

SPRUCE BIOSCIENCES, INC. Reconciliation of Total Operating Expenses to Total Non-GAAP Operating Expenses (unaudited) (in thousands)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Operating expenses:
Total operating expenses		$	11,557			$	11,400			$	35,173			$	32,931
Adjustments:
Depreciation			10				5				27				14
Stock-based compensation			783				1,031				2,829				3,161
Total Non-GAAP operating expenses		$	10,764			$	10,364			$	32,317			$	29,756

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221110006044/en/

Media Contact

Will Zasadny

Canale Communications

(619) 961-8848

will.zasadny@canalecomm.com

media@sprucebiosciences.com

Investors

Xuan Yang

Solebury Strategic Communications

(415) 971-9412

xyang@soleburystrat.com

investors@sprucebiosciences.com

Source: Spruce Biosciences, Inc.

FAQ

What were the key financial results for Spruce Biosciences for Q3 2022?

Spruce reported a net loss of $11.4 million and total operating expenses of $11.6 million for Q3 2022.

What is the current status of the CAHmelia clinical trials by Spruce Biosciences?

Spruce is nearing 50% enrollment in CAHmelia-203 and has surpassed 25% enrollment in CAHmelia-204.

Who has been appointed as Vice President of Clinical Development at Spruce Biosciences?

Dr. Saba Sile has been appointed as Vice President of Clinical Development, bringing extensive experience in clinical research.

What are the anticipated milestones for Spruce Biosciences in 2023?

Topline results from several clinical trials are expected in the first and second halves of 2023.