Theriva™ Biologics Reports Second Quarter 2024 Operational Highlights and Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Theriva Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX) reported Q2 2024 results and operational highlights. Key points include:

1. VIRAGE Phase 2b trial for VCN-01 in metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) expected to complete enrollment in Q3 2024.

2. FDA granted Fast Track Designation for VCN-01 in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for retinoblastoma treatment.

3. Cash position of $16.6 million as of June 30, 2024, providing runway into Q2 2025.

4. Q2 2024 financial results: General and administrative expenses decreased by 45% to $1.5 million, while R&D expenses slightly decreased to $3.0 million.

5. Recorded a $4.0 million goodwill impairment charge due to sustained decline in stock price.

Positive

• VIRAGE Phase 2b trial for VCN-01 in PDAC nearing completion of enrollment
• FDA granted Fast Track Designation for VCN-01 in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• FDA granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for VCN-01 in retinoblastoma treatment
• General and administrative expenses decreased by 45% to $1.5 million in Q2 2024
• $16.6 million cash position providing runway into Q2 2025

Negative

• $4.0 million goodwill impairment charge recorded due to sustained decline in stock price
• Slight decrease in R&D expenses to $3.0 million in Q2 2024
• Other income decreased from $377,000 in Q2 2023 to $172,000 in Q2 2024

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q2 2024 results for Theriva Biologics present a mixed financial picture. While the company has made progress in its clinical trials, there are some concerning financial trends:

• Cash position of $16.6 million as of June 30, 2024, down from $23.2 million at the end of 2023, indicating significant cash burn.
• General and administrative expenses decreased by 45%, which is positive for cost control.
• Research and development expenses decreased slightly by 6%, but are expected to increase as clinical trials progress.
• A $4.0 million goodwill impairment charge was recorded due to a decline in stock price.

The company's cash runway extends into Q2 2025, which may be tight considering the ongoing clinical trials. Theriva might need to seek additional funding or partnerships to support its operations beyond this period.

Oncology Doctor

The progress in Theriva's VCN-01 program for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is encouraging. Key points include:

• The VIRAGE Phase 2b trial is nearing completion of enrollment, with results expected soon.
• Fast Track Designation from the FDA highlights the potential importance of this treatment for PDAC, a notoriously difficult cancer to treat.
• The combination of VCN-01 with standard chemotherapy could potentially improve outcomes in first-line treatment.

Additionally, the Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for VCN-01 in retinoblastoma is significant, as it could lead to a Priority Review Voucher if approved. This dual-pronged approach in both adult and pediatric cancers demonstrates a promising pipeline with potential in multiple oncology indications.

Medical Research Analyst

Theriva's oncolytic virus (OV) approach with VCN-01 is innovative and holds promise. Key considerations:

• The co-administration strategy with chemotherapy/immunotherapy aims to enhance tumor access, potentially overcoming historical challenges in OV delivery.
• Positive results from the Phase 1 retinoblastoma trial suggest efficacy in this rare pediatric cancer.
• The SYN-004 (ribaxamase) program for preventing acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) adds diversity to the pipeline.

However, it's important to note that while the VIRAGE trial is progressing, final results are still pending. The true value of Theriva's approach will be determined by the efficacy data from these ongoing trials, particularly in PDAC where new treatments are desperately needed.

- VIRAGE, the Phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01 in combination with chemotherapy for metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is expected to complete enrollment in the third quarter of 2024-

- Received Fast Track Designation (FTD) Granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for VCN-01 for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma-

- Received Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) Granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for VCN-01 for the treatment of children with retinoblastoma-

- As of June 30, 2024, Theriva Biologics reports $16.6 million in cash, which is expected to provide runway into the second quarter of 2025-

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update.

“We remain on track to complete enrollment for VIRAGE, our Phase 2b trial in metastatic PDAC during the third quarter and are pleased with the FDA’s decision to grant FTD to VCN-01, highlighting the urgent need for new options to treat this deadly disease,” said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. “Our lead oncolytic virus (OV) product candidate, VCN-01 is uniquely designed for co-administration with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy to enhance tumor access by these agents and elicit a persistent antitumor immune response. The ongoing VIRAGE trial is evaluating VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, as a first line therapy to enable the earliest possible use in metastatic PDAC. We look forward to building upon the compelling clinical data from Phase 1 studies that underscores VCN-01’s multiple modes of action and potential to overcome historical challenges around systemic OV administration. Beyond PDAC, we continue to pursue opportunities that maximize the therapeutic potential of VCN-01. To that end, we are excited by the grant of RPDD to VCN-01 for the treatment of children with retinoblastoma. We will continue to build a portfolio of potentially improved therapeutic combinations as part of our broader strategy to address unmet needs for difficult to treat cancers. Additionally, we have taken steps to further rationalized our burn, which will allow us to extend our cash runway by an additional quarter and bring us closer to the completion and data readout of the VIRAGE trial.”

Recent Program Highlights and Anticipated Milestones:

VCN-01:

• Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC):
  • Dosing is underway and enrollment is nearing completion for VIRAGE, the randomized, controlled, multicenter, open-label Phase 2b trial of VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) as a first line therapy in newly diagnosed metastatic PDAC patients. The trial intends to enroll 92 evaluable patients across sites in the U.S. and Spain, and is expected to complete enrollment in the third quarter of 2024.
  • The U.S. FDA granted FTD to lead clinical candidate VCN-01 in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel to improve progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Overall survival and progression free survival are the primary and key secondary endpoints respectively in the ongoing VIRAGE study. Both the FDA and EMA previously granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 for treatment of PDAC.
• Retinoblastoma:
  • Results from the investigator sponsored Phase 1 trial evaluating the safety and activity of intravitreal VCN-01 in pediatric patients with refractory retinoblastoma were determined to be positive by the study Monitoring Committee. Discussions with key opinion leaders worldwide, as well as with regulatory agencies, are ongoing to refine our retinoblastoma clinical strategy.
  • The U.S. FDA granted RPDD to lead clinical candidate VCN-01 to treat pediatric patients with retinoblastoma. The FDA has previously granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 in this indication.
    • If a Biologics License Application for VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma is ultimately approved by the FDA, Theriva may be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review for any subsequent marketing application, or may be sold or transferred.

SYN-004 (ribaxamase):

• Dosing and safety follow-up were completed for the second cohort of the Phase 1b/2a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD).
  • If the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee recommends continuation of the trial, enrollment into the third cohort could commence in the second half of 2024 contingent on adequate funding.

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 Financial Results

General and administrative expenses decreased to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease of 45% is primarily comprised of the decrease in employee compensation costs, consulting fees, audit fees, lower director and officer insurance, and a decrease in fair value of the contingent consideration adjustment, offset by increased investor relation costs. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $114,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $106,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2023.

Research and development expenses decreased to $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from approximately $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease of 6% is primarily the result of lower clinical trial expenses related to our VIRAGE Phase 2 clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC and lower expenses related to our Phase 1a clinical trial of SYN-020 which has completed, offset by increased expenses to our Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients. We anticipate research and development expense to increase as we continue enrollment in our VIRAGE Phase 2 clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC, advance our VCN-01 program in retinoblastoma, expand GMP manufacturing activities for VCN-01, and continue supporting our other preclinical and discovery initiatives. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $58,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $40,000 related to stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, we experienced a sustained decline in the quoted market price of our common stock and we deemed this to be a triggering event for impairment. The Company performed an interim impairment analysis using the “Income approach” that requires significant judgments, including primarily the estimation of future development costs, the probability of success in various phases of its development programs, potential post-launch cash flows and a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital. We concluded that the IPR&D was not impaired as of June 30, 2024, however, goodwill with a carrying value of $5.5 million was written down to its estimated fair value of $1.5 million and an impairment charge of $4.0 million was recorded during the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the valuation was primarily driven by an increase in the discount rate which was impacted by an increase in the company specific risk premium, and not by material changes to the clinical and administrative operations of the business.

Other income was $172,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to other income of $377,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 is primarily comprised of interest income of $173,000 and an exchange loss of $1,000. Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2023 is primarily comprised of interest income of $381,000 and exchange loss of $4,000.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $16.6 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $23.2 million as of December 31, 2023.

About Theriva™ Biologics, Inc.

Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at www.therivabio.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding remaining on track to complete enrollment for VIRAGE Phase 2b trial of VCN-01 in combination with chemotherapy for metastatic PDAC during the third quarter; VCN-01 being uniquely designed for co-administration with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy to enhance tumor access and elicit a persistent antitumor immune response; the cash providing runway into the second quarter of 2025, building upon the clinical data from Phase 1 studies that underscores VCN-01’s multiple modes of action; the potential to overcome historical challenges around systemic OV administration, continuing to pursue opportunities that maximize the therapeutic potential of VCN-01; continuing to build a portfolio of potentially improved therapeutic combinations as part of the Company’s broader strategy to address unmet needs for difficult to treat cancers; further rationalized burn, which will allow the Company to extend its cash runway by an additional quarter and bring it closer to the completion and data readout of the VIRAGE trial , the PDAC trial enrolling 92 evaluable patients across sites in the U.S. and Spain, and completion of enrollment in the third quarter of 2024; the Company being eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher: and, enrollment into the third cohort commencing in the second half of 2024 contingent on adequate funding. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s and VCN’s ability to reach clinical milestones when anticipated, including the ability to continue to enroll patients as planned and the completion of enrollment in VIRAGE in the third quarter of 2024, generating clinical data that establishes VCN-01 may lead to improved clinical outcomes for patients with PDAC and other solid cancers; the Company’s and VCN’s product candidates demonstrating safety and effectiveness, as well as results that are consistent with prior results; the ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve the desired results and benefits; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s and VCN’s ability to promote or commercialize their product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of the Company’s and VCN’s products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, the Company’s and VCN’s ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of the Company’s and VCN’s patent estate, the ability to continue to remain well financed and the cash providing a runway into the second quarter of 2025, and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Theriva Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

For further information, please contact: 
Investor Relations: 
Chris Calabrese 
LifeSci Advisors, LLC 
ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com 
917-680-5608

Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets  (In thousands except share and par value amounts)  (Unaudited)
		June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	16,593			$	23,177
Tax credit receivable			1,759				1,812
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,363				2,414
Total Current Assets			19,715				27,403
Non-Current Assets
Property and equipment, net			336				422
Restricted cash			99				102
Right of use asset			1,519				1,759
In-process research and development			19,179				19,755
Goodwill			1,465				5,700
Deposits and other assets			77				78
Total Assets		$	42,390			$	55,219
Liabilities and Stockholders‘ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	935			$	770
Accrued expenses			3,489				2,995
Accrued employee benefits			969				1,517
Deferred research and development tax credit-current portion			880				906
Loans payable-current			62				63
Operating lease liability-current portion			513				487
Total Current Liabilities			6,848				6,738
Non-current Liabilities
Non-current contingent consideration			6,201				6,274
Loan Payable - non-current			93				162
Non-current deferred research and development tax credit			440				906
Non-current operating lease liability			1,162				1,442
Total Liabilities			14,744				15,522
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Temporary Equity; 10,000,000 authorized
Series C convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 275,000 issued and 139,569 outstanding			1,018				2,006
Series D convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000 issued and outstanding			728				728
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 350,000,000 shares authorized, 23,113,391 issued and 22,393,158 outstanding at June 30, 2024 and 17,868,282 issued and 17,148,049 outstanding at December 31, 2023			23				18
Additional paid-in capital			349,673				346,519
Treasury stock at cost, 720,233 shares at June 30, 2024 and at December 31, 2023			(288	)			(288	)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			(709	)			32
Accumulated deficit			(322,799	)			(309,318	)
Total Stockholders’ Equity			25,900				36,963
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		$	42,390			$	55,219

Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss  (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)  (Unaudited)
		For the three months ended June 30,								For the six months ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Operating Costs and Expenses:
General and administrative			1,467				2,687				3,401				4,888
Research and development			2,953				3,133				6,412				6,110
Goodwill impairment			4,068				—				4,068				—
Total Operating Costs and Expenses			8,488				5,820				13,881				10,998
Loss from Operations			(8,488	)			(5,820	)			(13,881	)			(10,998	)
Other Income/Expense:
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain			(1	)			(4	)			(2	)			1
Interest income			173				381				402				745
Total Other Income			172				377				400				746
Net Loss			(8,316	)			(5,443	)			(13,481	)			(10,252	)
Income tax benefit			—				359				—				689
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders		$	(8,316	)		$	(5,084	)		$	(13,481	)		$	(9,563	)
Net Loss Per Share - Basic and Dilutive		$	(0.43	)		$	(0.34	)		$	(0.74	)		$	(0.63	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period - Basic and Dilutive			19,393,401				15,166,209				18,270,725				15,145,252
Net Loss			(8,316	)			(5,084	)			(13,481	)			(9,563	)
(Loss) gain on foreign currency translation			(172	)			(51	)			(741	)			323
Total comprehensive loss		$	(8,488	)		$	(5,135	)		$	(14,222	)		$	(9,240	)

FAQ

When is Theriva Biologics (TOVX) expected to complete enrollment for the VIRAGE Phase 2b trial?

Theriva Biologics expects to complete enrollment for the VIRAGE Phase 2b trial of VCN-01 in metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) during the third quarter of 2024.

What designations did the FDA grant to Theriva Biologics (TOVX) for VCN-01 in Q2 2024?

The FDA granted Fast Track Designation for VCN-01 in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for VCN-01 in the treatment of children with retinoblastoma.

What was Theriva Biologics' (TOVX) cash position as of June 30, 2024?

Theriva Biologics reported a cash position of $16.6 million as of June 30, 2024, which is expected to provide runway into the second quarter of 2025.

How did Theriva Biologics' (TOVX) general and administrative expenses change in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023?

Theriva Biologics' general and administrative expenses decreased by 45% to $1.5 million in Q2 2024, compared to $2.7 million in Q2 2023.

What was the goodwill impairment charge recorded by Theriva Biologics (TOVX) in Q2 2024?

Theriva Biologics recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $4.0 million in Q2 2024 due to a sustained decline in the quoted market price of its common stock.