Plus Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Business Highlights
Expanded pipeline with recently licensed targeted interventional radiotherapeutics platform
Announced positive interim data from ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1 clinical trial
Management to host conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTV) (the “Company”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative, targeted radiotherapeutics for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021, and provided an overview of recent business highlights.
“In 2021, the Company significantly advanced its lead 186RNL program and expanded its pipeline,” said Marc H. Hedrick M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Plus Therapeutics. “Our 2022 plan will build on our successful 2021 track record. This year we have planned an aggressive schedule of development activities in conjunction with continued strengthening of our balance sheet”.
2021 AND RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Rhenium-186 NanoLiposome ( 186 RNL), a novel radiotherapy in development for several rare cancer targets
- Announced positive interim data from the U.S. ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1/2 trial of 186RNL in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).
- Announced plans to advance into Phase 2 development in 2022 for recurrent GBM.
- Initiated ReSPECT-LM Phase 1 dose escalation trial of 186RNL in patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM).
- Received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fast Track designation for 186RNL for the treatment of LM.
- Entered into multiple manufacturing, analytical and supply agreements to produce Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) grade 186RNL for use in late-stage clinical trials planned for 2022.
Rhenium-188 NanoLiposome Biodegradable Alginate Microsphere ( 188 RNL-BAM), a novel radiotherapy in development for solid organ cancers
- In the fourth quarter of 2021, in-licensed a novel targeted radioembolic technology for the treatment of many solid organ tumors.
- The in-licensed technology is intended to make and use biodegradable alginate microspheres (BAM) combined with nanoliposomes and imaging and/or therapeutic payloads.
- The Company will initially focus on developing 188RNL-BAM as a next-generation radioembolization therapy for rare solid organ cancers including liver cancer.
FULL YEAR 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS
- As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s cash balance was $18.4 million, compared to $8.3 million as of December 31, 2020. In 2021 and in 2022 to date, the Company strengthened its balance sheet by raising $28.5 million. As a result, at January 31, 2022, the Company’s cash balance was $23.0 million.
- Through 2021, the Company continued to utilize the $3 million grant from the NIH/National Cancer Institute for funding of the clinical trials for the ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1/2 trial.
- Total operating expenses for full year 2021 were $12.5 million, compared to total operating expenses of $9.9 million for full year 2020. This increase is primarily due to increased research and development expenses in 2021.
- Net loss for full year 2021 was $13.4 million, or $(1.11) per share, compared to a net loss of $8.2 million, or $(1.86) per share, for full year 2020. The increase in net loss is primarily due to the aforementioned increase in research and development expenses.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MILESTONES
The Company’s near- and mid-term business objectives include the following:
Recurrent GBM
- Initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with recurrent GBM.
- Complete FDA CMC and clinical meetings for the ReSPECT-GBM program.
- Complete CMC activities for 186RNL for GMP Phase 2 drug supply.
- Continue ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1 trial of 186RNL, dose escalation and report data.
- Initiate ReSPECT-GBM retreatment protocol following FDA approval.
Other Indications
- Complete initial cohort enrollment and feasibility assessment in ReSPECT-LM Phase 1 trial.
- Obtain FDA approval of Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Phase 1 trial of 186RNL in patients with pediatric brain cancer (ReSPECT-PBC).
- Complete technology transfer and key CMC, FDA IND-enabling studies for 188RNL-BAM.
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2021 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.
| Event: | Plus Therapeutics Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results Conference Call |
| Date: | February 24, 2022 |
| Time: | 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Live Call: | 866-342-8591 (toll free); 203-518-9713 (Intl.); Conference ID: PSTVQ421 |
The webcast can be accessed live via the Investor Relations section of the Plus Therapeutics website at ir.plustherapeutics.com/events and will be available for replay beginning two hours after the conclusion of the conference call.
About Plus Therapeutics, Inc.
Plus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative, targeted radiotherapeutics for adults and children worldwide with rare and difficult-to-treat cancers. Our proprietary radiotherapeutic platform uniquely uses nanoliposomes to encapsulate and deliver the radioisotope, Rhenium, into or near a tumor via a single, direct infusion. The lead radiotherapeutic in our pipeline, Rhenium-186 NanoLiposome (186RNL), is being evaluated in U.S. multi-center clinical trials for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma and leptomeningeal metastases. 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,” “plan,” “can,” “design,” “intend,” “potential,” “expect,” “target,” “focus,” 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 Company’s goals for the 2022 fiscal year including any milestones and accomplishments that the Company expects to achieve; the Company’s ability to expand clinical testing of 186RNL to additional sites and additional indications; the Company’s clinical trials including statements regarding timing and characteristics; the Company’s research and development efforts; future development and/or expansion of its product candidates and therapies in its markets; expectations as to the Company’s future performance.
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 regenerative medicine 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. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and par value data) |
||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 18,400 | $ | 8,346 | ||||
| Other current assets | 1,324 | 829 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 19,724 | 9,175 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 1,477 | 1,820 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-use-of assets | 341 | 636 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 372 | 372 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 51 | 86 | ||||||
| Other assets | 16 | 16 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 21,981 | $ | 12,105 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 4,151 | $ | 2,081 | ||||
| Operating lease liability | 111 | 123 | ||||||
| Term loan obligation, current | 1,608 | 6,335 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 5,870 | 8,539 | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liability | 269 | 528 | ||||||
| Term loan obligation | 5,005 | — | ||||||
| Warrant liability | 1 | 7 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 11,145 | 9,074 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,952 and 1,954 shares issued and outstanding in 2021 and 2020, respectively |
— | — | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 15,510,025 and 6,749,028 shares issued and outstanding in 2021 and 2020, respectively |
16 | 7 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 457,730 | 436,535 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (446,910 | ) | (433,511 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 10,836 | 3,031 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 21,981 | $ | 12,105 | ||||
| PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (in thousands, except share and per share data) |
||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Development revenue: | ||||||||
| Government contracts and other | $ | — | $ | 303 | ||||
| — | 303 | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 5,323 | 2,700 | ||||||
| In process research and development acquired | 250 | 781 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 6,853 | 6,406 | ||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | 66 | — | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 12,492 | 9,887 | ||||||
| Operating loss | (12,492 | ) | (9,584 | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Interest income | 19 | 50 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (932 | ) | (1,107 | ) | ||||
| Change in fair value of liability instruments | 6 | 2,400 | ||||||
| Total other expense | (907 | ) | 1,343 | |||||
| Net loss | $ | (13,399 | ) | $ | (8,241 | ) | ||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (1.11 | ) | $ | (1.86 | ) | ||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per share | ||||||||
| attributable to common stockholders | 12,089,186 | 4,427,835 | ||||||
| PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) |
||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (13,399 | ) | $ | (8,241 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 395 | 366 | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount | 546 | 584 | ||||||
| In process research and development acquired | 250 | 781 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of liability instruments | (6 | ) | (2,400 | ) | ||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | 66 | |||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | 606 | 247 | ||||||
| Inventory write off | — | 107 | ||||||
| Non-cash lease expense | 24 | 3 | ||||||
| Increases (decreases) in cash caused by changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | — | 1,169 | ||||||
| Other current assets | (496 | ) | 126 | |||||
| Other assets | — | 58 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 1,734 | (1,234 | ) | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | — | — | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (10,280 | ) | (8,434 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from (used in) investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets | (144 | ) | (93 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 62 | |||||||
| In process research and development acquired from NanoTx Therapeutics | — | (400 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (82 | ) | (493 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Principal payments of long-term obligations | (268 | ) | (5,307 | ) | ||||
| Payment of financing lease liability | (8 | ) | (117 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 2,017 | 1,098 | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of common stock | 18,675 | 4,007 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 20,416 | (319 | ) | |||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 10,054 | (9,246 | ) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 8,346 | 17,592 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 18,400 | $ | 8,346 | ||||
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
