VYNE Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Rhea-AI Summary

VYNE Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: VYNE) reported its Q2 2024 financial results and provided a business update. Key highlights include:

1. Initiation of a Phase 2b trial for VYN201 in nonsegmental vitiligo, with top-line results expected in mid-2025.

2. Ongoing Phase 1a SAD/MAD trial for VYN202, with data expected in Q3 and Q4 2024.

3. Cash position of $78.1 million as of June 30, 2024, expected to fund operations through the end of 2025.

4. Q2 2024 financial results: Revenue of $0.2 million, R&D expenses of $7.3 million, G&A expenses of $3.3 million, and a net loss of $9.4 million ($0.22 per share).

5. Appointment of Dr. Subhashis Banerjee as Senior VP of Clinical Development.

Positive

• Initiated Phase 2b trial of VYN201 in nonsegmental vitiligo
• Phase 1a SAD/MAD trial of VYN202 progressing as planned
• Strong cash position of $78.1 million, expected to fund operations through end of 2025
• Appointed experienced immunologist Dr. Subhashis Banerjee as Senior VP of Clinical Development

Negative

• Net loss of $9.4 million in Q2 2024
• Slight increase in R&D expenses to $7.3 million
• Marginal increase in G&A expenses to $3.3 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

VYNE Therapeutics' Q2 2024 results reveal a stable financial position with $78.1 million in cash and equivalents, expected to fund operations through 2025. This runway is important for advancing their key clinical programs. The company's net loss narrowed to $9.4 million ($0.22 per share) from $10.1 million in Q2 2023, showing improved financial efficiency.

R&D expenses remained relatively flat at $7.3 million, reflecting a strategic shift in focus from VYN202 to VYN201. The 1% increase in R&D spend, despite initiating new clinical trials, demonstrates prudent cost management. However, investors should note the ongoing cash burn and lack of significant revenue streams, with only $0.2 million in royalty income.

Medical Research Analyst

VYNE's pipeline progress is noteworthy, with two key programs advancing. The initiation of the Phase 2b trial for VYN201 in nonsegmental vitiligo is a significant milestone, positioning the company in the competitive dermatology market. The expected mid-2025 readout could be a major catalyst for the stock.

The ongoing Phase 1a trial for VYN202, with near-term data readouts expected in Q3 and Q4 2024, provides multiple potential value inflection points. The planned expansion into Phase 1b trials for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis demonstrates a strategic approach to targeting high-value indications. The appointment of Dr. Banerjee, with his extensive experience in immunology drug development, significantly strengthens VYNE's clinical development capabilities.

• Initiated Phase 2b trial of VYN201 in nonsegmental vitiligo, with top-line results expected in mid-2025
• Phase 1a SAD/MAD trial of VYN202 progressing, with data from the SAD and MAD portions expected in Q3 and Q4 2024, respectively
• Balance sheet expected to fund key clinical milestones for VYN201 and VYN202 through the end of 2025
  

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Aug. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VYNE Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: VYNE) (“VYNE” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated therapies to treat chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions with high unmet need, today announced financial results as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and provided a business update.

"We advanced our clinical programs in the second quarter of 2024, highlighted by the initiation of our Phase 2b trial of VYN201 and the Phase 1a trial of VYN202," said David Domzalski, President and Chief Executive Officer of VYNE. "We are pleased with the progress we are making with both clinical programs. We remain on track to report top-line data from our Phase 2b clinical trial for VYN201 in subjects with nonsegmental vitiligo in the middle of next year. We also expect to report top-line data from the single ascending dose portion of the Phase 1a trial of VYN202 this quarter, followed by results from the multiple ascending dose portion in the fourth quarter. Upon the successful completion of this Phase 1a trial, we plan to advance VYN202 into two Phase 1b proof-of-concept trials with top-line readouts in the second half of next year."

Recent Pipeline Updates

VYN201

• VYN201 is a locally administered pan-bromodomain ("BD") BET inhibitor designed as a “soft” drug to address diseases involving multiple, diverse inflammatory cell signaling pathways while providing low systemic exposure. VYNE initiated a Phase 2b trial of VYN201 in nonsegmental vitiligo in June 2024. The Phase 2b trial is a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of once-daily VYN201 gel in three dose cohorts (1%, 2% and 3% concentrations) compared to vehicle for 24 weeks. Subjects are being randomized at 1:1:1:1 ratio. Following the 24-week treatment period, subjects in the 1%, 2%, and 3% cohorts will continue treatment with their respective dose concentrations for an additional 28-week open label extension. Subjects in the vehicle group during the initial 24-week treatment period will be equally re-randomized to receive VYN201 1%, 2% or 3% gel for an additional 28 weeks. VYNE expects to enroll approximately 40 subjects in each arm and to report top-line results from the 24-week double-blind portion of the trial in mid-2025.
  

VYN202

• VYN202 is an oral small molecule BD2-selective BET inhibitor designed to achieve potential class-leading selectivity and potency (BD2 vs. BD1). A first-in-human Phase 1a single ascending dose/multiple ascending dose ("SAD/MAD") trial was initiated in June 2024. VYNE expects to report top-line results from the SAD and MAD portions of the trial in the third and fourth quarters of 2024, respectively. If the Phase 1a trial is successfully completed, VYNE plans to initiate Phase 1b trials in adult subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, with top-line results anticipated in the second half of 2025.
  

Recent Corporate Update

• In July, VYNE appointed Subhashis Banerjee, M.D., as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development. Dr. Banerjee is a trained immunologist and rheumatologist with over 25 years of drug development experience at large pharmaceutical companies, including the development of therapies for psoriasis and arthritic conditions. He most recently served as Vice President & Disease Area Head, Rheumatology and Dermatology at Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Banerjee played a key role in the development strategy of immunology assets across multiple platforms for several immune-mediated diseases, including SOTYKTU® (deucravacitinib), ORENCIA® (abatacept), clazakizumab (anti-IL-6 antibody), TALTZ® (ixekizumab, anti-IL-17 antibody) and XELJANZ® (tofacitinib).
  

Upcoming Conference Participation

• H.C. Wainwright 26^th Annual Global Investment Conference, September 9-11, 2024, New York, NY
• Stifel Immunology and Inflammation Virtual Summit, September 17-18, 2024

Financial Results as of and for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

Cash position. As of June 30, 2024, VYNE had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of $78.1 million. VYNE believes its cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024 will be sufficient to fund its operations through the end of 2025.

Revenues. Revenues totaled $0.2 million and $0.1 million for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, consisting of royalty revenue from the Company's royalty agreement with LEO Pharma, to whom VYNE previously licensed the rights to Finacea® foam.

Research and development expenses. VYNE’s research and development expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $7.3 million, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or 1.0%, compared to $7.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by expenses related to preparatory and clinical trial activities for a Phase 2b trial of VYN201 in subjects with nonsegmental vitiligo, which was initiated in June 2024, of $3.2 million, including a $1.0 million development milestone payment due to Tay Therapeutics Ltd. ("Tay") upon the initiation of the Phase 2b trial. In addition, employee-related expenses increased by $0.3 million following the hiring of additional research and development personnel. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in expenses associated with VYN202 of $3.5 million, primarily driven by lower amounts owed to Tay under the license agreement with respect to VYN202 (the "VYN202 License Agreement"). In April 2023, VYNE made a one-time cash payment of $3.75 million to Tay in connection with entering into the VYN202 License Agreement. In the second quarter of 2024, the Company incurred a $1.0 million development milestone payment due to Tay following the initiation of a Phase 1a SAD/MAD trial of VYN202.

General and administrative expenses. VYNE’s general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $3.3 million, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or 2.1%, compared to $3.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by consulting and professional fees.

Net loss. Net loss and net loss per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $9.4 million and $0.22, respectively, compared to a net loss and net loss per share of $10.1 million and $3.09, respectively for the comparable period in 2023.

About VYNE Therapeutics Inc.

VYNE is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated therapies to treat chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions with high unmet need. VYNE's unique and proprietary BET inhibitors, which comprise its InhiBET™ platform, are designed to overcome limitations of early generation BET inhibitors by leveraging alternative routes of administration and enhanced selectivity.

For more information about VYNE Therapeutics Inc. or its product candidates, visit www.vynetherapeutics.com. VYNE may use its website to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Therefore, investors should monitor VYNE’s website in addition to following its press releases, filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, public conference calls, and webcasts.

Investor Relations:
John Fraunces
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
917-355-2395
jfraunces@lifesciadvisors.com

Tyler Zeronda
VYNE Therapeutics Inc.
908-458-9106
Tyler.Zeronda@VYNEtx.com

Media Relations:
Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc.
312-961-2502
mikebeyer@sambrown.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding VYNE's ability to successfully complete its Phase 1a trial of VYN202, future clinical trials of VYN202, the expected enrollment and timing for reporting top-line results from trials of VYN201 and VYN202, VYNE’s projected cash runway, and other statements regarding the future expectations, plans and prospects of VYNE. All statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are based on VYNE’s current knowledge and its present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: VYNE’s ability to successfully develop its product candidates; the timing of commencement of future preclinical studies and clinical trials; VYNE’s ability to complete and receive favorable results from clinical trials of its product candidates; VYNE’s ability to obtain additional funding, either through equity or debt financing transactions or collaboration arrangements; and VYNE’s ability to comply with various regulations applicable to its business. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause VYNE’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in VYNE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and VYNE’s other filings from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although VYNE believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they speak only as of the date of this announcement and VYNE undertakes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.

Third-party products and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

VYNE THERAPEUTICS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)
	June 30,				December 31,
		2024				2023
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	29,609			$	30,620
Restricted cash		46				54
Investment in marketable securities		48,492				62,633
Prepaid and other current assets		5,629				2,656
Total Current Assets		83,776				95,963
Non-current Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets		151				207
Non-current prepaid expenses and other assets		2,721				1,515
Total Non-current Assets		2,872				1,722
Total Assets	$	86,648			$	97,685
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Trade payables	$	4,516			$	1,659
Accrued expenses		5,069				4,119
Employee related obligations		736				1,645
Operating lease liabilities		120				115
Other current liabilities		1,313				—
Total Current Liabilities		11,754				7,538
Long-term Liabilities:
Non-current operating lease liabilities		25				99
Other liabilities		—				1,313
Total Long-term Liabilities		25				1,412
Total Liabilities		11,779				8,950
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock: $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		—				—
Common stock: $0.0001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 14,536,124 and 14,098,888 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		1				1
Additional paid-in capital		781,917				780,044
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(58	)			26
Accumulated deficit		(706,991	)			(691,336	)
Total Stockholders' Equity		74,869				88,735
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	86,648			$	97,685

VYNE THERAPEUTICS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues
Royalty revenues	$	198			$	135			$	296			$	234
Total Revenues		198				135				296				234
Operating Expenses:
Research and development		7,306				7,233				11,014				9,967
General and administrative		3,288				3,220				7,058				6,460
Total Operating Expenses		10,594				10,453				18,072				16,427
Operating Loss		(10,396	)			(10,318	)			(17,776	)			(16,193	)
Other income, net		1,001				280				2,140				543
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes		(9,395	)			(10,038	)			(15,636	)			(15,650	)
Income tax expense		—				—				—				—
Loss from continuing operations		(9,395	)		$	(10,038	)			(15,636	)			(15,650	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(11	)			(20	)			(19	)			(30	)
Net Loss	$	(9,406	)		$	(10,058	)		$	(15,655	)		$	(15,680	)
Loss per share from continuing operations, basic and diluted	$	(0.22	)		$	(3.08	)		$	(0.37	)		$	(4.81	)
Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, basic and diluted	$	0.00			$	(0.01	)		$	0.00			$	(0.01	)
Loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.22	)		$	(3.09	)		$	(0.37	)		$	(4.82	)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted		42,586				3,274				42,584				3,265

FAQ

What are the key clinical milestones for VYNE Therapeutics (VYNE) in 2024-2025?

VYNE expects to report top-line data from the VYN201 Phase 2b trial in nonsegmental vitiligo in mid-2025, and top-line results from the VYN202 Phase 1a SAD and MAD portions in Q3 and Q4 2024, respectively. Phase 1b trials for VYN202 are planned with top-line results anticipated in the second half of 2025.

What is VYNE Therapeutics' (VYNE) cash position as of Q2 2024?

As of June 30, 2024, VYNE had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of $78.1 million, which is expected to fund operations through the end of 2025.

What were VYNE Therapeutics' (VYNE) Q2 2024 financial results?

In Q2 2024, VYNE reported revenues of $0.2 million, research and development expenses of $7.3 million, general and administrative expenses of $3.3 million, and a net loss of $9.4 million ($0.22 per share).

What is the status of VYNE Therapeutics' (VYNE) VYN201 clinical trial?

VYNE initiated a Phase 2b trial of VYN201 in nonsegmental vitiligo in June 2024. The trial is evaluating three dose cohorts (1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations) compared to vehicle for 24 weeks, with top-line results expected in mid-2025.