Scholar Rock Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Highlights Business Progress

Rhea-AI Summary

Scholar Rock (NASDAQ: SRRK) reported Q2 2024 financial results and business updates. Key highlights include:

1. On track to report topline data from Phase 3 SAPPHIRE trial in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Q4 2024.

2. New data from Phase 2 TOPAZ extension study showed sustained clinical benefit over 48 months in nonambulatory SMA patients.

3. Phase 2 EMBRAZE proof-of-concept trial in obesity enrolling ahead of schedule, topline data expected in Q2 2025.

4. Q2 2024 net loss was $58.5 million or $0.60 per share.

5. Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $190.5 million as of June 30, 2024, expected to fund operations into the second half of 2025.

Positive

• Topline data from Phase 3 SAPPHIRE trial in SMA expected in Q4 2024
• Phase 2 TOPAZ extension study showed sustained clinical benefit over 48 months in nonambulatory SMA patients
• Phase 2 EMBRAZE trial in obesity enrolling ahead of schedule
• $190.5 million in cash and equivalents, funding operations into second half of 2025

Negative

• Net loss increased to $58.5 million in Q2 2024 from $37.9 million in Q2 2023
• Research and development expenses increased to $42.4 million from $26.9 million year-over-year
• General and administrative expenses rose to $17.1 million from $12.2 million year-over-year

Insights

Financial Analyst

Scholar Rock's Q2 2024 results show a widening net loss of $58.5 million ($0.60 per share) compared to $37.9 million ($0.47 per share) in Q2 2023. This increase is primarily due to higher R&D expenses, which rose to $42.4 million from $26.9 million year-over-year, driven by clinical trial and employee compensation costs. G&A expenses also increased to $17.1 million from $12.2 million. The company's cash position of $190.5 million is expected to fund operations into H2 2025, providing a runway for upcoming milestones. While the increased spending reflects investment in pipeline development, investors should monitor cash burn rate carefully.

Medical Research Analyst

The Phase 3 SAPPHIRE trial for apitegromab in SMA is on track for topline data in Q4 2024, with potential commercial launch in 2025 if successful. Long-term data from the Phase 2 TOPAZ extension study shows sustained clinical benefit over 48 months, with mean HFMSE score improvements of 5.3 points in nonambulatory patients aged 2-21 and 6.4 points in ages 2-12. The high patient retention rate of over 90% and favorable safety profile are encouraging. The Phase 2 EMBRAZE trial in obesity is enrolling ahead of schedule, with data now expected in Q2 2025. These developments suggest strong progress in Scholar Rock's pipeline, particularly in SMA and obesity indications.

Market Research Analyst

Scholar Rock's focus on myostatin inhibition positions it as a leader in TGF-beta superfamily biology, with potential applications in SMA, obesity and other indications. The company's strategy of developing highly selective inhibitors like apitegromab and SRK-439 differentiates it from competitors. The accelerated enrollment in the EMBRAZE obesity trial reflects growing interest in muscle-preserving therapies as adjuncts to GLP-1 RAs. However, the company faces challenges in a competitive landscape, particularly in obesity. The lack of revenue and increasing losses highlight the importance of successful late-stage trials for future growth. Investors should closely watch the upcoming SAPPHIRE trial results as a key inflection point for the company's valuation.

- Remains on track to report topline data from pivotal Phase 3 SAPPHIRE trial in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in 4Q 2024

- New data from Phase 2 TOPAZ extension study in patients with nonambulatory SMA showed sustained clinical benefit over 48 months, a continued favorable safety profile with no new safety findings; patient retention rate of over 90%

- Phase 2 EMBRAZE proof-of-concept trial enrolling ahead of schedule, topline data expected in 2Q 2025

- Presented new SRK-439 preclinical data at American Diabetes Association’s 84^th Scientific Sessions (ADA) supporting the potential to contribute to a favorable body composition; increased lean mass and reduced fat mass regain following withdrawal from GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment

- Management to host update call today at 8:15 a.m. ET

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Scholar Rock (NASDAQ: SRRK), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing innovative treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), cardiometabolic disorders, and other serious diseases where protein growth factors play a fundamental role, today reported financial results and corporate updates for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“Scholar Rock continues to execute across our portfolio of highly selective myostatin inhibition programs, further cementing our position as the global leader in harnessing the life-changing potential of TGF-beta superfamily biology,” said Jay Backstrom, M.D., MPH, President & Chief Executive Officer of Scholar Rock. “With the only muscle-targeted program to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept in SMA, our confidence in our lead program apitegromab continues to be supported by the clinical data generated over the past four years. At 48 months, over 90% of TOPAZ patients with nonambulatory SMA remained on apitegromab treatment on top of SMN therapy and we continued to observe sustained clinical benefit. We look forward to reporting topline data from the Phase 3 SAPPHIRE trial of apitegromab in SMA in the fourth quarter of this year.”

Dr. Backstrom continued, “In addition, we are pleased with the progress of our cardiometabolic program. The enrollment of the Phase 2 proof-of-concept EMBRAZE study evaluating apitegromab in obesity has been advancing ahead of schedule and as a result, we are updating our guidance for topline data to the second quarter of 2025. We also presented new preclinical data supporting SRK-439’s potential to help patients retain lean muscle mass at our investor event in May and at the ADA 84^th Scientific Sessions in June. The hallmark of our approach in designing both apitegromab and SRK-439 is the exquisite selectivity for pro- and latent forms of myostatin. Our data in SMA suggest that this selectivity matters for patients, and we are excited to show how SRK-439 can become an integral component of the treatment and management of obesity helping to preserve lean muscle mass for sustainable and healthy weight loss management.”

Company Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

SMA Program

Apitegromab is an investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits myostatin activation by selectively binding the pro- and latent forms of myostatin in skeletal muscle and is being developed as a potential first muscle-targeted therapy for the treatment of SMA. Apitegromab is the only muscle-targeted therapy to show clinical proof-of-concept in SMA.

• On track to report topline data from Phase 3 SAPPHIRE clinical trial in 4Q 2024. If the trial is successful and apitegromab is approved, the Company expects to initiate a commercial product launch in 2025.
• Reported that long-term apitegromab data continued to show substantial and sustained motor function improvements over 48 months¹. The mean change in Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (HFMSE) from baseline in nonambulatory patients (ages 2-21) on combination therapy (nusinersen and 20 mg/kg of apitegromab) was 5.3 points (95% CI: 1.5, 9.2; n=23), and for patients 2-12 was 6.4 points (95% CI: 1.8, 11.0, n=19). The mean change in RULM for the 2-21 age group was 3.6 points (95% CI: 2.0, 5.3; N=22) and for the 2-12 age group was 4.5 (95% CI: 2.7, 6.3; n=18). Of the 35 participants in the pooled nonambulatory population, 33 remained in the study over 4 years. The data analysis excluded the scores of 11 patients after undergoing scoliosis surgery, a known confounding factor for motor function assessment. Additional details will be discussed on the conference call this morning.

	12-Month Data	24-Month Data	36-Month Data	48-Month Data
Age 2-21 Years Mean Change from Baseline in HFMSE (95% Confidence Interval)	3.6 points (1.2, 6.0) n=32	4.2 points (1.9, 6.6) n=29	4.0 points (1.0, 6.9) n=28	5.3 points (1.5, 9.2) n=23
Age 2-12 Years Mean Change from Baseline in HFMSE (95% Confidence Interval)	4.6 points (1.8, 7.4) n=26	5.2 points (2.3, 8.0) n=23	4.8 points (1.3, 8.3) n=23	6.4 points (1.8, 11.0) n=19
Age 2-21 Years Mean Change from Baseline in RULM (95% Confidence Interval)	1.3 points (0.2, 2.3) n=31	2.3 points (1.2, 3.3) n=31	2.4 points (1.1, 3.7) n=27	3.6 points (2.0, 5.3) n=22
Age 2-12 Years Mean Change from Baseline in RULM (95% Confidence Interval)	1.2 points (0.1, 2.4) n=25	2.2 points (1.0, 3.5) n=25	2.8 points (1.4, 4.2) n=22	4.5 points (2.7, 6.3) n=18
For the 48-month evaluation, an observed case analysis was conducted using available data by analysis timepoint, censoring any HFMSE and RULM assessments after the patient received scoliosis surgery. The analysis population pooled the nonambulatory patients (Cohorts 2 and 3) and included patients receiving either low dose (2 mg/kg) or high dose (20 mg/kg) apitegromab (inclusive of patients in Cohort 3 who switched from 2 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg in Year 2). A total of 11 patients in the population had scoliosis surgery during the study and their data was excluded from any HFMSE or RULM assessments at 48 months. Visit windows were applied to utilize data from unscheduled or early termination visits if the patient was missing the HFMSE or RULM total score at the scheduled visit.

• The ONYX open-label, multicenter extension study is ongoing. The extension study is evaluating the long-term safety and efficacy of apitegromab in patients with Type 2 and Type 3 SMA who completed the TOPAZ or SAPPHIRE trials. More than 90 percent of patients on combination therapy in the TOPAZ study have completed 4 years of apitegromab treatment and enrolled into ONYX.

Cardiometabolic Program

SRK-439 is a novel, preclinical, investigational myostatin inhibitor that has high in vitro affinity for pro- and latent myostatin and maintains myostatin specificity (i.e., no GDF11 or Activin A binding), and is initially being developed for the treatment of obesity.

• Presented preclinical data from the SRK-439 program. In May, the Company announced new preclinical data comparing SRK-439 and an anti-activin receptor II (anti-ActRII) antibody that supported SRK-439’s potential as best in class in preserving lean muscle mass in patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). In June, the company presented new preclinical data at the American Diabetes Association 84^th Scientific Sessions supporting the potential of SRK-439 to increase lean mass and contribute to a favorable body composition following withdrawal from GLP-1 RA treatment.
• Initiated Phase 2 EMBRAZE proof-of-concept trial with apitegromab in combination with a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) in obesity in May. The Phase 2 trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study to evaluate the effect of apitegromab, a highly selective investigational myostatin inhibitor, to preserve muscle mass as an adjunctive therapy in overweight and obese adults who are taking a GLP-1 RA. Data are expected in the second quarter of 2025 and will be used to guide clinical development of SRK-439. The Company plans to file an IND for SRK-439 for the treatment of obesity in 2025.

Other Pipeline Updates

• New SRK-181 data from the Phase 1 DRAGON proof-of-concept trial presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting in June. SRK-181 is an investigational selective inhibitor of latent TGFβ-1 activation and developed with the aim of overcoming resistance to checkpoint therapy in patients with advanced cancer. Clinical data showed encouraging responses in heavily pretreated and anti-PD-(L)1 resistant patients across multiple tumor types. Enrollment of the DRAGON trial was completed in December 2023, and patients who remain on the study continue to be treated.
• Published data on SRK-373 was featured on the cover of Science Signaling in July. The article describes the selectivity of SRK-373 for LTBP-presented TGFβ-1, as well as efficacy data from two preclinical models that establish the feasibility of selectively targeting this particular form of TGFβ-1 for the treatment of fibrosis. SRK-373 is an investigational selective inhibitor of matrix associated TGFβ-1 in development for the treatment of fibrosis.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, net loss was $58.5 million or $0.60 per share compared to a net loss of $37.9 million or $0.47 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

• The Company did not record any revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 or for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
• Research and development expense was $42.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $26.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to clinical trial and employee compensation costs.
• General and administrative expense was $17.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $12.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The increase was due to employee-related costs.
• As of June 30, 2024, Scholar Rock had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of approximately $190.5 million, which is expected to fund the Company’s anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements into the second half of 2025.

“Our year-to-date progress across our pipeline of industry-leading myostatin inhibition programs, combined with our highly experienced and disciplined team, provides us with a robust foundation for growth as we advance towards multiple milestones and our potential evolution into a commercial-stage company,” said Ted Myles, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Scholar Rock.

Conference Call Information

Management will provide an update on the Company and discuss second quarter 2024 results via conference call on Thursday, August 8 at 8:15 am ET. To access the live conference call, participants may register here. The live audio webcast of the call will be available under “Events and Presentations” in the Investor Relations section of the Scholar Rock website at http://investors.scholarrock.com. To participate via telephone, please register in advance here. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique passcode and registrant ID that can be used to access the call. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for approximately 90 days.

About Apitegromab

Apitegromab is an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody inhibiting myostatin activation by selectively binding the pro- and latent forms of myostatin in the skeletal muscle. It is the first muscle-targeted treatment candidate to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Myostatin, a member of the TGFβ superfamily of growth factors, is expressed primarily by skeletal muscle cells, and the absence of its gene is associated with an increase in muscle mass and strength in multiple animal species, including humans. Scholar Rock believes that its highly selective targeting of pro- and latent forms of myostatin with apitegromab may lead to a clinically meaningful improvement in motor function in patients with SMA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted Priority Medicines (PRIME) and Orphan Medicinal Product designations, to apitegromab for the treatment of SMA. The efficacy and safety of apitegromab have not been established and apitegromab has not been approved for any use by the FDA or any other regulatory agency.

About the Phase 3 SAPPHIRE Trial

SAPPHIRE is an ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of apitegromab in nonambulatory patients with Types 2 and 3 SMA who are receiving SMN-targeted therapy (either nusinersen or risdiplam). SAPPHIRE targeted enrolling approximately 156 patients aged 2-12 years old in the main efficacy population. These patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive for 12 months either apitegromab 10 mg/kg, apitegromab 20 mg/kg, or placebo by intravenous (IV) infusion every 4 weeks. An exploratory population that targeted enrolling up to 48 patients aged 13-21 years old will also separately be evaluated. These patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either apitegromab 20 mg/kg or placebo. For more information about SAPPHIRE, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov. Apitegromab has not been approved for any use by the US FDA or any other health authority, and its safety and efficacy have not been established.

About EMBRAZE

EMBRAZE is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of apitegromab in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of >27 (overweight) or a BMI of >30 (obese) and taking a GLP-1 RA (tirzepatide or semaglutide). The target enrollment of EMBRAZE is 100 subjects aged 18-65 who are overweight or obese without diabetes. As part of the study design, the treatment period is 24 weeks, and all subjects will receive a GLP-1 RA. In addition, all subjects will be randomized 1:1 to receive either apitegromab or placebo by intravenous (IV) infusion every four weeks during the 24-week treatment period. The primary endpoint is change from baseline at Week 24 in lean mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Secondary endpoints include additional weight loss measures, safety and tolerability, and pharmacokinetic outcomes. Exploratory endpoints at Weeks 24 and 32 include cardiometabolic parameters (e.g. HbA1c), body composition, and physical function.

About SRK-439

SRK-439 is a novel, preclinical, investigational myostatin inhibitor that has high in vitro affinity for pro- and latent myostatin and maintains myostatin specificity (i.e., no GDF11 or Activin-A binding), and is initially being developed for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity. Based on preclinical data, SRK-439 has the potential to support healthier weight management by preserving lean mass during weight loss. The efficacy and safety of SRK-439 have not been established and SRK-439 has not been approved for any use by the FDA or any other regulatory agency.

About Scholar Rock

Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, Scholar Rock has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.

Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof-of-concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about our approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.

Availability of Other Information About Scholar Rock

Investors and others should note that we communicate with our investors and the public using our company website www.scholarrock.com, including, but not limited to, company disclosures, investor presentations and FAQs, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, press releases, public conference call transcripts and webcast transcripts, as well as on Twitter and LinkedIn. The information that we post on our website or on Twitter or LinkedIn could be deemed to be material information. As a result, we encourage investors, the media and others interested to review the information that we post there on a regular basis. The contents of our website or social media shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Scholar Rock^® is a registered trademark of Scholar Rock, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Scholar Rock’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, Scholar Rock’s expectations regarding its growth, strategy, progress and timing of its clinical trials for apitegromab and SRK-181 and its preclinical programs, including SRK-439, and indication selection and development timing, including the therapeutic potential, clinical benefits and safety thereof, expectations regarding timing, success and data announcements of current ongoing preclinical and clinical trials, its cash runway, expectations regarding the achievement of important milestones, the ability of any product candidate to perform in humans in a manner consistent with earlier nonclinical, preclinical or clinical trial data, and the potential of its product candidates and proprietary platform. The use of words such as “may,” “might,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “future,” “potential,” or “continue,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, that preclinical and clinical data, including the results from the Phase 2 clinical trial of apitegromab, or Part A or Part B of the Phase 1 clinical trial of SRK-181, are not predictive of, may be inconsistent with, or more favorable than, data generated from future or ongoing clinical trials of the same product candidates, including, without limitation, the Phase 3 clinical trial of apitegromab in SMA or Part B of the Phase 1 clinical trial of SRK-181; Scholar Rock’s ability to provide the financial support, resources and expertise necessary to identify and develop product candidates on the expected timeline; the data generated from Scholar Rock’s nonclinical and preclinical studies and clinical trials; information provided or decisions made by regulatory authorities; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Scholar Rock’s ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; Scholar Rock’s dependence on third parties for development and manufacture of product candidates including, without limitation, to supply any clinical trials; and Scholar Rock’s ability to manage expenses and to obtain additional funding when needed to support its business activities and establish and maintain strategic business alliances and new business initiatives, and our ability to continue as a going concern; as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Scholar Rock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Scholar Rock’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements represent Scholar Rock’s views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Scholar Rock undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

Scholar Rock Holding Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(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	$	42,373			$	26,867			$	85,466			$	56,602
	General and administrative		17,125				12,215				32,451				22,989
Total operating expenses			59,498				39,082				117,917				79,591
Loss from operations			(59,498	)			(39,082	)			(117,917	)			(79,591	)
Other income (expense), net			990				1,157				2,556				2,287
Net loss		$	(58,508	)		$	(37,925	)		$	(115,361	)		$	(77,304	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(0.60	)		$	(0.47	)		$	(1.20	)		$	(0.97	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted			96,813,116				80,117,983				96,352,858				79,865,424

	Scholar Rock Holding Corporation
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
		June 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Assets
	Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	190,494		$	279,938
	Other current assets		8,643			8,256
	Total current assets		199,137			288,194
	Other assets		27,728			22,841
Total assets		$	226,865		$	311,035
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
	Current liabilities	$	32,987		$	32,741
	Long-term liabilities		60,258			53,076
	Total liabilities		93,245			85,817
	Total stockholders' equity		133,620			225,218
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	226,865		$	311,035

 

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Scholar Rock:

Investors

Rushmie Nofsinger

Scholar Rock

rnofsinger@scholarrock.com

ir@scholarrock.com

857-259-5573

Media

Molly MacLeod

Scholar Rock

mmacleod@scholarrock.com

media@scholarrock.com

802-579-5995

Source: Scholar Rock

FAQ

What were Scholar Rock's (SRRK) Q2 2024 financial results?

Scholar Rock reported a net loss of $58.5 million or $0.60 per share for Q2 2024, compared to a net loss of $37.9 million or $0.47 per share for Q2 2023.

When does Scholar Rock (SRRK) expect to report topline data from the Phase 3 SAPPHIRE trial in SMA?

Scholar Rock expects to report topline data from the Phase 3 SAPPHIRE trial in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in the fourth quarter of 2024.

What were the results of Scholar Rock's (SRRK) Phase 2 TOPAZ extension study in SMA patients?

The Phase 2 TOPAZ extension study showed sustained clinical benefit over 48 months in nonambulatory SMA patients, with a patient retention rate of over 90% and a continued favorable safety profile.

When does Scholar Rock (SRRK) expect topline data from the Phase 2 EMBRAZE trial?

Scholar Rock expects topline data from the Phase 2 EMBRAZE proof-of-concept trial in obesity in the second quarter of 2025.