Initiated ReSPECT-GBM Phase 2 and ReSPECT- LM Phase 1 trials for CNS cancers
Awarded $17.6 million Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) grant to support clinical development of rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda for leptomeningeal metastases (LM)
Cash, grant funding, and discretionary capital sources expected to be sufficient to fund expenses through 2025
Management to host conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTV) (the “Company”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing targeted radiotherapeutics with advanced platform technologies for central nervous system cancers, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022, and provided an overview of recent business highlights.
“During 2022, we made significant progress in our co-lead radiotherapeutic programs for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) and LM. Furthermore, even during a turbulent time in the U.S. capital markets, we reached a new level of balance sheet stability to support our exciting and potentially game-changing targeted radiotherapeutic drug candidates,” said Marc H. Hedrick M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Plus Therapeutics. “In 2023, we intend to build on the success of 2022 to simultaneously advance our active programs in GBM and LM and also broaden and diversify our drug development pipeline.”
2022 AND 2023 HIGHLIGHTS AND MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS
- Completed multi-year program, including related U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) interactions, to produce GMP rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda for Phase 2 clinical trials.
- Enrolled first patient in the Phase 2b clinical trial of rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda for recurrent GBM. Presented data from the ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1/2a dose escalation trial evaluating rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda in patients with recurrent GBM at the 27th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO).
- Awarded $17.6 million CPRIT grant to support Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical development of rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda for LM.
- Completed enrollment in the second cohort of the ReSPECT-LM Phase 1 clinical trial of rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda for the treatment of LM.
- Presented initial clinical experience from the ReSPECT-LM Phase 1/2a dose escalation trial evaluating rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda in patients with LM at the 27th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day of SNO.
- Engaged with the FDA on proposed Investigational New Drug (IND) application to treat pediatric patients with ependymoma and high-grade glioma.
- Licensed bioresorbable radio-embolic technology platform (186RNL-BAM) from the University of Texas and completed key manufacturing and preclinical human ex vivo and proof of concept activities as well as initial FDA interactions.
- Announced a comprehensive laboratory services agreement with Biocept to use the CNSide assay to evaluate response to treatment and treatment efficacy in the ReSPECT-LM clinical trial.
- Executed a variety of agreements and transactions to supplement the balance sheet and raised capital expected to be sufficient to fund expenses through 2025.
FULL YEAR 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS
- The Company’s cash balance was $18.1 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $18.4 million at December 31, 2021. The Company believes that current cash on hand, anticipated funding from both the National Institutes of Health and CPRIT, and existing discretionary capital sources are sufficient to fund both its currently planned and anticipated overhead and development expenses through 2025.
- Grant revenue of $224,000 was recognized for full year 2022, which represents CPRIT’s initial share of the costs incurred for development of 186RNL for the treatment of patients with LM. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company received its first CPRIT grant funds of approximately $1.9 million.
- Total operating expenses for full year 2022 were $19.9 million, compared to total operating expenses of $12.5 million for full year 2021. The increase is due primarily to incremental CMC spend related to the development of GMP 186RNL drug and key regulatory consulting activities. In addition, to a lesser extent, the Company had a one-time forecasted increase in general corporate expenses together with litigation and legal expenses primarily related to resolving a legal dispute.
- Net loss for full year 2022 was $20.3 million, or $(0.77) per share, compared to a net loss of $13.4 million, or $(1.11) per share, for full year 2021.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MILESTONES
During 2023, the Company expects to accomplish the following key business objectives:
- Expand clinical sites and make enrollment progress of the ReSPECT-GBM Phase 2b trial to support enrollment completion by the end of 2024.
- Publish ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1 data in a peer reviewed journal.
- Present safety and efficacy data from ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1/2a dose escalation trial and ReSPECT-GBM Phase 2b dose expansion trial in the second half of 2023.
- Complete enrollment in Phase 1/Part A of the ReSPECT-LM trial, expand the number of trial sites, and begin enrollment in Phase 1/Part B.
- Present clinical safety and efficacy data of Phase 1/Part A of the ReSPECT-LM trial in the second half of 2023.
- Explore potentially synergistic drug combination studies of locally delivered rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda and promising systemic therapies in relevant preclinical models of LM.
- Finalize and submit an FDA IND application to treat pediatric patients with ependymoma and high-grade glioma and begin enrollment.
- In conjunction with the FDA, finalize regulatory designation of 186RNL-BAM technology and complete key development activities.
- Execute corporate partnerships to expand the business opportunities for Plus Therapeutics’ unique CNS oncology platform.
- Submit multiple grants to secure non-dilutive capital to support expansion of the Company’s drug development pipeline.
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2022 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL
The Company will hold a conference call and live audio webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss its financial results and provide a general business update.
A live webcast will be available at ir.plustherapeutics.com/events.
Participants may also pre-register any time before the call here. Once registration is completed, participants will be provided a dial-in number with a personalized conference code to access the call. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the start time.
Following the live call, a replay will be available on the Company’s website under the ‘For Investor’ section. The webcast will be available on the Company’s website for 90 days following the live call.
About Plus Therapeutics
Plus Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing targeted radiotherapeutics for difficult-to-treat cancers of the central nervous system with the potential to enhance clinical outcomes for patients. Combining image-guided local beta radiation and targeted drug delivery approaches, the Company is advancing a pipeline of product candidates with lead programs in recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) and leptomeningeal metastases (LM). The Company has built a robust supply chain through strategic partnerships that enable the development, manufacturing and future potential commercialization of its products. Plus Therapeutics is led by an experienced and dedicated leadership team and has operations in key cancer clinical development hubs including Austin and San Antonio, Texas. More information may be found at PlusTherapeutics.com and ReSPECT-Trials.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by future verbs, as well as terms such as “designed to,” “will,” “can,” “expects”, “potential,” “focus,” “preparing,” “next steps,” “possibly,” and similar expressions or the negatives thereof. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the following: the potential promise of 186RNL including the ability of 186RNL to safely and effectively deliver radiation directly to the tumor at high doses; expectations as to the Company’s future performance including the next steps in developing the Company’s current assets; statements with respect to the Company’s capital resources; the Company’s clinical trials including statements regarding the timing and characteristics of the ReSPECT-GBM and ReSPECT-LM clinical trials; possible negative effects of 186RNL; the continued evaluation of 186RNL including through evaluations in additional patient cohorts; and the intended functions of the Company’s platform and expected benefits from such functions.
The forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the Company’s actual results may differ, including materially, from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the early stage of the Company’s product candidates and therapies, the results of the Company’s research and development activities, including uncertainties relating to the clinical trials of its product candidates and therapies; the Company’s liquidity and capital resources and its ability to raise additional cash, the outcome of the Company’s partnering/licensing efforts, risks associated with laws or regulatory requirements applicable to it, market conditions, product performance, litigation or potential litigation, and competition within the cancer diagnostics and therapeutics field, among others; and additional risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports. There may be events in the future that the Company is unable to predict, or over which it has no control, and its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may change in the future. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made unless the Company has an obligation under U.S. federal securities laws to do so.
PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and par value data)
| As of December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 18,120 | $ | 18,400 | ||||
| Other current assets | 3,697 | 1,324 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 21,817 | 19,724 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 1,324 | 1,477 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-use-of assets | 248 | 341 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 372 | 372 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 94 | 51 | ||||||
| Other assets | 12 | 16 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,867 | $ | 21,981 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 10,134 | $ | 4,151 | ||||
| Operating lease liability | 110 | 111 | ||||||
| Term loan obligation, current | 1,608 | 1,608 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 11,852 | 5,870 | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liability | 141 | 269 | ||||||
| Term loan obligation | 3,786 | 5,005 | ||||||
| Deferred grant liability | 1,643 | — | ||||||
| Warrant liability | — | 1 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 17,422 | 11,145 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,952 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 |
— | — | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 33,601,373 and 15,510,025 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively |
34 | 16 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 473,596 | 457,730 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (467,185 | ) | (446,910 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 6,445 | 10,836 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 23,867 | $ | 21,981 | ||||
PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Grant revenue | $ | 224 | $ | — | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 9,698 | 5,323 | ||||||
| In process research and development acquired | — | 250 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 10,238 | 6,853 | ||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | — | 66 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 19,936 | 12,492 | ||||||
| Operating loss | (19,712 | ) | (12,492 | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Interest income | 147 | 19 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (711 | ) | (932 | ) | ||||
| Change in fair value of liability instruments | 1 | 6 | ||||||
| Total other expense | (563 | ) | (907 | ) | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (20,275 | ) | $ | (13,399 | ) | ||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.77 | ) | $ | (1.11 | ) | ||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per share attributable to common stockholders |
26,255,256 | 12,089,186 | ||||||
PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (20,275 | ) | $ | (13,399 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 619 | 395 | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount | 389 | 546 | ||||||
| In process research and development acquired | — | 250 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of liability instruments | (1 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | — | 66 | ||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | 606 | 606 | ||||||
| Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets | 93 | 24 | ||||||
| Increases (decreases) in cash caused by changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Other current assets | (2,369 | ) | (496 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 6,452 | 1,734 | ||||||
| Change in operating lease liabilities | (129 | ) | — | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 1,643 | — | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (12,972 | ) | (10,280 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets | (509 | ) | (144 | ) | ||||
| In process research and development acquired | (250 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | — | 62 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (759 | ) | (82 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Principal payments of long-term obligations | (1,608 | ) | (268 | ) | ||||
| Payment of finance lease liability | — | (8 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | — | 2,017 | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of common stock | 15,059 | 18,675 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 13,451 | 20,416 | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (280 | ) | 10,054 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 18,400 | 8,346 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 18,120 | $ | 18,400 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid during period for: | ||||||||
| Interest | $ | 327 | $ | 388 | ||||
| Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Unpaid offering cost | $ | — | $ | 219 | ||||
Investor Contact
Peter Vozzo
ICR Westwicke
(443) 377-4767
Peter.Vozzo@westwicke.com
Media Contact
Terri Clevenger
ICR Westwicke
(203) 856-4326
Terri.Clevenger@westwicke.com
