Vincerx Pharma Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides a Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Vincerx Pharma reported its Q1 2022 financial results, revealing a net loss of $16.4 million, or $0.79 per share, compared to a loss of $6.3 million, or $0.46 per share, in Q1 2021. The company had $96.5 million in cash as of March 31, 2022, down from $111.5 million at year-end 2021, but expects sufficient resources to cover operations through 2023. Vincerx continues clinical studies for VIP152, targeting various malignancies, and plans to file INDs for VIP236, VIP943, and VIP924 in the second half of 2022 and 2023.

Positive

• On track to initiate Phase 2 studies for VIP152 in 2H 2022.
• Current cash resources expected to support operations through 2023.
• Presented positive preliminary clinical data for VIP152 at AACR.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $16.4 million in Q1 2022, compared to a $6.3 million loss in Q1 2021.
• R&D expenses rose significantly to $16.0 million from $4.8 million in the same quarter last year.

Company to present poster on VIP152 at upcoming European Hematology Association Annual Meeting

Presented preliminary findings on VIP152 in gynecologic malignancies in poster at AACR Annual Meeting

Continues to execute on Phase 1b VIP152 clinical studies; on track to initiate Phase 2 VIP152 studies in 2H2022

On track for IND filing for VIP236 in 2H2022

Expected cash runway through 2023

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vincerx Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: VINC), a biopharmaceutical company aspiring to address the unmet medical needs of patients with cancer through paradigm-shifting therapeutics, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a corporate update.

“In April, we presented positive preclinical and preliminary clinical data on PTEFb/CDK9 inhibitor VIP152 at AACR. These data, coupled with our findings presented at ASH last year, suggest that VIP152 has the potential to provide new treatment options for patients across various MYC and MCL-1-driven tumor types,” said Ahmed Hamdy M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Vincerx.

“We continue dosing patients in our VIP152 clinical program and are seeing improvements in trial enrollment following a challenging pandemic year,” added Dr. Hamdy. “This June, we are excited for our poster presentation at the annual European Hematology Association meeting, which will show data from patients with lymphoma treated with VIP152. We remain on track to initiate Phase 2 studies of VIP152 in the second half of this year.”

“Looking to the second half of this year and into 2023, we look forward to continuing to advance our preclinical bioconjugation platform – a diverse, modular platform of linkers and payloads that can be conjugated with antibodies and small molecules to create novel targeted therapeutics for a broad range of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. We remain on track to file an IND in the second half of this year for VIP236, a small molecule drug conjugate (SMDC) engineered to bind an α_vß₃ integrin adhesion molecule that is abundantly expressed in advanced metastatic solid tumors. α_vß₃ is a hallmark of aggressive cancers and poor prognosis. We also remain on-target to file INDs in the second half of 2023 for our two initial antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), VIP943, an anti-IL3RA-KSPi, and VIP924, an anti-CXCR5-KSPi, both with a CellTrapper™ moiety. From a financial perspective, our current cash resources position us to continue to pursue our upcoming regulatory and clinical milestones,” concluded Dr. Hamdy.

RECENT CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS
VIP152

• Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the upcoming European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Meeting, titled “VIP152 is a novel CDK9 inhibitor with improved selectivity, target modulation, and cardiac safety in patients with lymphoma.”
  • Presenting author: Melanie Frigault, PhD
  • Abstract number: P1269
  • Session date and time: Friday, June 10, 2022; 16:30-17:45 CEST

• Presented poster, “VIP152, a selective CDK9 inhibitor, demonstrates sensitivity in gynecologic cell lines that are cisplatin sensitive or resistant and delivers in vivo antitumor efficacy,” at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in April 2022.
  

Bioconjugation Platform

• Invited talk on the Company’s modular assets that can build innovative and high-potency ADCs titled, “ADCs with KSP-Inhibitor Payloads and a Tailored Design of Linker and Metabolite Profile,” at the Festival of Biologics meeting March 2022.
  
  
• Continue to advance our next generation modular bioconjugation platform, comprised of a first-in-class SMDC for solid tumors (VIP236) and two best-in-class preclinical-stage assets for hematologic malignancies (VIP943 and VIP924).
  
  • VIP236 consists of an a_vß₃ integrin binder and a linker that is cleavable by neutrophil elastase. The payload is an optimized camptothecin derivative designed for high cellular permeability and low efflux. IND filing in solid tumors expected in 2H 2022.
  • VIP943 (anti-IL3RA) and VIP924 (anti-CXCR5) are two antibodies linked to a KSP inhibitor – a novel payload class in ADCs. These ADCs also have a stable linker specifically cleaved by legumain, a tumor associated protease. The payload (i.e., KSP inhibitor) is modified to be trapped in the cell by the CellTrapper™ moiety. Manufacturing is underway and IND filings expected in 2H 2023.
    

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

• Vincerx Pharma had $96.5 million in cash as of March 31, 2022, as compared to $111.5 million as of December 31, 2021. Based on its current business plans and assumptions, Vincerx believes its available cash will be sufficient to meet its operating requirements through 2023.

• Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 were $16.0 million, as compared to $4.8 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily related to increases in manufacturing services of approximately $4.0 million, including the initiation of manufacturing associated with our ADC program, new employee salaries of approximately $2.5 million, third party research and preclinical work of approximately $2.0 million, clinical services of approximately $1.4 million and stock-based compensation of approximately $0.8 million.

• General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 were $5.6 million, as compared to $4.8 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily related to new employee salaries and increases in legal (patent protection and filings), accounting and other professional services in support of our operations as a public company.

• For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, Vincerx reported a net loss of $16.4 million, or $0.79 per share. For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, Vincerx reported a net loss of $6.3 million, or $0.46 per share.  

ABOUT VINCERX PHARMA, INC.
Vincerx Pharma, Inc. (Vincerx) is a clinical-stage life sciences company focused on leveraging its extensive development and oncology expertise to advance new therapies intended to address unmet medical needs for the treatment of cancer. Vincerx has assembled a management team of biopharmaceutical experts with extensive experience in building and operating organizations that develop and deliver innovative medicines to patients. Vincerx’s current pipeline is derived from an exclusive license agreement with Bayer and includes a clinical-stage and follow-on small molecule drug program and a preclinical stage modular bioconjugation platform, which includes next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and innovative small molecule drug conjugates. For more information, please visit www.vincerx.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, expectations and events, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “suggest,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “potential,” “on-target,” “on track,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Vincerx’s business model, capital requirements and sufficiency of available cash, pipeline, strategy, timeline, product candidates and attributes and preclinical and clinical development and results. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance or events. Instead, they are based only on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding future business developments, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control.

Actual results, conditions and events may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, conditions and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with preclinical or clinical development and trials, including those conducted prior to Vincerx’s in-licensing; failure to realize the benefits of Vincerx’s license agreement with Bayer; risks related to the rollout of Vincerx’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; changes in the assumptions underlying Vincerx’s expectations regarding its future business or business model; Vincerx’s ability to develop and commercialize product candidates; Vincerx’s capital requirements and availability and uses of capital; the effects of competition on Vincerx’s future business; and the risks and uncertainties set forth in Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC from time to time by Vincerx. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Vincerx disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS
Bruce Mackle
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
646-889-1200
bmackle@lifesciadvisors.com

Vincerx Pharma, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)

	March 31, 2022			December 31, 2021
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	96,486		$	111,459
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,578			382
Total current assets		98,064			111,841
Right-of-use assets		3,733			3,949
Property, plant and equipment, net		217			233
Other assets		1,867			1,653
Total assets	$	103,881		$	117,676
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,386		$	2,019
Accrued expenses		6,051			4,715
Lease liability		852			738
Common stock warrant liabilities		1,236			6,447
Total current liabilities		11,525			13,919
Lease liability, net of current portion		3,186			3,436
Total liabilities		14,711			17,355
Total stockholders' equity		89,170			100,321
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	103,881		$	117,676

Vincerx Pharma, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	For the three months ended
	March 31,
		2022				2021
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	$	5,656			$	4,791
Research and development		15,971				4,834
Total operating expenses		21,627				9,625
Loss from operations		(21,627	)			(9,625	)
Other income (expense)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities		5,211				3,349
Other expense		(8	)			-
Total other income		5,203				3,349
Net loss	$	(16,424	)		$	(6,276	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.79	)		$	(0.46	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		20,896				13,735

 

FAQ

What were Vincerx Pharma's Q1 2022 financial results?

Vincerx reported a net loss of $16.4 million, or $0.79 per share, compared to a $6.3 million loss in Q1 2021.

What is the stock symbol for Vincerx Pharma?

The stock symbol for Vincerx Pharma is VINC.

What upcoming studies is Vincerx Pharma planning?

Vincerx is on track to initiate Phase 2 studies for VIP152 in the second half of 2022.

How much cash did Vincerx have as of March 31, 2022?

Vincerx had $96.5 million in cash as of March 31, 2022.

When does Vincerx plan to file INDs for VIP236, VIP943, and VIP924?

Vincerx plans to file INDs for VIP236 in the second half of 2022 and for VIP943 and VIP924 in the second half of 2023.