Vincerx Pharma Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results and Provides a Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Vincerx Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: VINC) made significant strides with an exclusive license agreement with Bayer AG for its oncology portfolio, including the promising CDK9 inhibitor VIP152. The company raised about $62 million through a successful business combination on December 23, 2020. Leadership was strengthened with new appointments, enhancing strategic direction. Phase 1b studies for VIP152 will begin in 2021, targeting Myc-driven hematologic malignancies. Financially, Vincerx ended Q4 2020 with $61.8 million in cash, though it reported a net loss of $10.7 million for the year.

Positive

• Exclusive license agreement with Bayer AG enhances oncology pipeline.
• Raised approximately $62 million from business combination transaction.
• Strong cash position with $61.8 million at the end of Q4 2020.
• Promising early clinical activity of VIP152 in difficult patient populations.

Negative

• Reported a net loss of $10.7 million for 2020, including significant licensing fees.
• Operational cash burn of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

License agreement with Bayer AG secures oncology portfolio including clinical-stage PTEFb/CDK9 inhibitor with encouraging Phase 1 activity

Successful completion of business combination transaction, raising approximately $62 million

Strengthened leadership with appointments of Chief Medical Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, and General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer

Phase 1b studies in in Myc-driven hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, as well as relapsed/refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia to initiate in 1H 2021

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 23, 2021 (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 fourth quarter and full year, ended December 31, 2020, and provided a corporate update.

“Over the past months, Vincerx has completed transformative milestones; licensing a compelling oncology pipeline from Bayer, launching as a public company, and strengthening our already proven leadership team,” said Ahmed Hamdy M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Vincerx. “These accomplishments, in combination with our strong balance sheet, leave us well positioned as we prepare to launch Phase 1b studies of VIP152, our highly selective and potent CDK9 inhibitor, in Myc-driven hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, as well as relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. With robust preclinical on-mechanism activity, and compelling early signals of Phase 1 clinical activity in challenging patient populations, including those with double-hit DLBCL, we are confident that VIP152 represents a compelling and differentiated opportunity.”

Dr. Hamdy continued, “In addition to this clinical progress, we have in parallel continued to develop our preclinical bioconjugation platform, consisting of our next-generation antibody-drug conjugates which have the potential to overcome limitations of currently approved ADCs and our innovative small molecule drug conjugate, which will have data presented at AACR. We are excited to embark on this new phase of development and look forward to continued execution in 2021 across our strategic clinical program with VIP152, a potential best-in-class asset with multiple Accelerated Approval opportunities.”

Corporate Highlights

• Announced exclusive license agreement with Bayer AG for oncology portfolio including VIP152, a highly selective PTEFb/CDK9 inhibitor with encouraging Phase 1 monotherapy activity, including complete responses in DH-DLBCL, as well as a preclinical bioconjugation platform designed to overcome limitations of small-molecule and antibody-drug conjugates used to treat cancer
• Announced completion of business combination transaction with LifeSci Acquisition Corp. on December 23, 2020, and listing on Nasdaq, with net proceeds of approximately $62 million
• VIP152 IND officially transferred from Bayer to Vincerx
• Appointed Hermes Garbán, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer
• Appointed Hans-Georg Lerchen, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer
• Appointed Tom Thomas, as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer
• Announced presentation at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2021 with preclinical data for the Company’s small molecule drug conjugate in development for the treatment of multiple cancer types
• Hosted Key Opinion Leader Webinar on VIP152 for the treatment of solid tumors with presentations by KOLs Ian Flinn, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Sarah Cannon Center for Blood Cancer, John Byrd, M.D., D. Warren Brown Chair of Leukemia Research, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Howard "Skip" Burris III, M.D., President and Chief Medical Officer of Sarah Cannon, who discussed the CDK9 inhibitor landscape with Vincerx management providing details on the development plan for VIP152

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results

• Vincerx Pharma ended the fourth quarter with $61.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Net cash used in operations was $2.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
• Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $10.7 million, which is comprised primarily of a $5.0 million license fee in connection with the Bayer license agreement and $4.4 million of stock-based compensation.
• Research and development (R&D) expenses were $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, consisting primarily of stock-based compensation.
• General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, consisting primarily of stock-based compensation of $2.3 million and approximately $1.0 million of legal and professional services incurred in connection with the Bayer license agreement and business combination.

About Vincerx Pharma, Inc.
Vincerx Pharma (Vincerx) is a recently formed 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’s executive team 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 bioconjugation/next-generation antibody-drug conjugate platform. 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,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “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, pipeline, strategy, timeline and product candidates. 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 conducted prior to Vincerx’s in-licensing; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, including as a result of difficulty in, or costs associated with, integrating the businesses of LSAC and Vincerx; failure to realize the benefits of the Bayer license; 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; the availability and uses of capital; the effects of competition on Vincerx’s future business; and the risks and uncertainties set forth in reports on 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.

Vincerx Pharma, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	December 31, 2020			December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	61,792		$	-
Prepaid expenses		1,104			-
Other assets		296
Total assets	$	63,192		$	-
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Liabilities
Accounts payable and other		505			44
License payable		5,000			-
Total liabilities		5,505			44
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		57,687			(44	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$	63,192		$	-

	Vincerx Pharma, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
		For the Year Ended December 31, 2020				For the Period from March 1, 2019 (date of inception) to December 31, 2019
	Operating expenses:
	General and administrative	$	3,598			$	45
	Research and development - license acquired		5,000				-
	Research and development		2,116				-
	Total operating expenses		10,714				45
	Loss from operations		(10,714	)			(45	)
	Other expense
	Interest expense		(8	)			-
	Total other expense		(8	)			-
	Net loss	$	(10,722	)		$	(45	)
	Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(2.04	)		$	(0.01	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		5,252				4,464

Contacts

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

FAQ

What are the key highlights from the Vincerx Pharma press release dated March 23, 2021?

The press release highlights a license agreement with Bayer AG, raising $62 million through a business combination, new leadership appointments, and the upcoming Phase 1b studies of VIP152.

What financial results did Vincerx Pharma report for 2020?

Vincerx reported a net loss of $10.7 million for 2020, with $61.8 million in cash at the end of Q4.

What is VIP152 and its significance for Vincerx Pharma?

VIP152 is a CDK9 inhibitor with encouraging Phase 1 activity, targeting Myc-driven cancers, and represents a central part of Vincerx's oncology strategy.

What will be the focus of Vincerx Pharma's studies in 2021?

In 2021, Vincerx plans to initiate Phase 1b studies of VIP152 in various hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.