On March 25, 2024 Sutro Biopharma, Inc. (Sutro or the Company) (NASDAQ: STRO), a clinical-stage oncology company pioneering site-specific and novel-format antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), reported its financial results for the full year 2023, its recent business highlights, and a preview of select anticipated milestones (Press release, Sutro Biopharma, MAR 25, 2024, View Source [SID1234641413]).
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"The year 2023 was pivotal for Sutro, with the initiation of REFRαME-O1, our registration-directed study of luvelta for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) patients, further validating our next-generation ADC capabilities. In addition, we advanced our earlier stage programs, strengthened our management team, and bolstered our already strong cash position with additional non-dilutive capital," said Bill Newell, Sutro’s Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to continuing the momentum in 2024, with the initiation of a second registration-directed trial with luvelta, REFRαME-P1, for pediatric patients with CBF/GLIS AML, and two additional planned INDs. I am delighted with the strides we are taking towards meaningfully impacting the lives of cancer patients in need."
Recent Business Highlights and Select Anticipated Milestones
STRO-002, International Nonproprietary Name, "luveltamab tazevibulin," abbreviated as "luvelta," FolRα-Targeting ADC Franchise:
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In January 2024, Sutro hosted an investor webcast highlighting luvelta’s broad opportunity to address unmet needs in several FolRα-expressing cancers, including platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC), endometrial cancer, CBFA2T3::GLIS2 (CBF/GLIS; RAM phenotype) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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The registration-directed trial, REFRαME-O1, for treatment of PROC is enrolling, with an anticipated ~140 sites in ~20 countries to be opened by the end of 2024. Enrollment of Part 1 of the trial is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.
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In December 2023, data demonstrating anti-leukemic activity with luvelta, either as a single agent or in combination, in pediatric patients with CBF/GLIS AML, were presented at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2023), including complete remission in 42% of patients with CBF/GLIS AML with ≥5% blasts and in 75% of pediatric patients with CBF/GLIS AML with <5% blasts.
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Enrollment of REFRαME-P1, a registration-enabling trial for pediatric patients with CBF/GLIS AML, is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2024.
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An Investigational New Drug (IND) application submission is planned for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the first half of 2024.
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Continued clinical development is planned in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of ovarian cancer and in endometrial cancer, as resources permit.
Additional Pipeline Development and Collaboration Updates:
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Sutro plans to submit an IND for STRO-003, a ROR1-targeting ADC, in 2024.
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Sutro plans to submit an IND for STRO-004, a tissue factor-targeting ADC, in 2025.
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Sutro continues to seek to maximize the value of its proprietary cell-free platform by working with partners on programs in multiple disease spaces and geographies and has generated from collaborators an aggregate of approximately $854 million in payments through December 31, 2023, including equity investments.
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In November 2023, Vaxcyte exercised its option to enter into a manufacturing rights agreement with Sutro to obtain control over the development and manufacture of cell-free extract for use under its license agreement with Sutro, including for Vaxcyte’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) franchise, which includes VAX-24 and VAX-31. Upon exercising the option, Vaxcyte paid Sutro $50 million and is obligated to pay Sutro an additional $25 million within six months. Upon the occurrence of certain regulatory milestones, Vaxcyte would be obligated to pay Sutro up to an additional $60 million.
Corporate Updates:
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Sutro continues to build a world-class leadership team through the promotion of Jane Chung to President and Chief Operating Officer, a newly created role in which she will be responsible for driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and overall business success at Sutro.
Full Year 2023 Financial Highlights
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
As of December 31, 2023, Sutro had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $333.7 million, as compared to $321.1 million as of September 30, 2023, and approximately 0.7 million shares of Vaxcyte common stock with a fair value of $41.9 million, which together provide a projected cash runway into the second half of 2025, based on current business plans and assumptions. Current market conditions provide a challenging financing environment. In this context, Sutro is continuing its process of evaluating its programs and spending.
Unrealized Gain from Increase in Value of Vaxcyte Common Stock
The non-operating, unrealized gain of $9.9 million for the year 2023 was due to the increase since December 31, 2022 in the estimated fair value of Sutro’s holdings of Vaxcyte common stock. Vaxcyte common stock held by Sutro will be remeasured at fair value based on the closing price of Vaxcyte’s common stock on the last trading day of each reporting period, with any non-operating, unrealized gains and losses recorded in Sutro’s statements of operations.
Revenue
Revenue was $153.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $67.8 million for the same period in 2022, with the 2023 amount related principally to the Vaxcyte manufacturing rights agreement option exercise, Astellas and Merck collaborations, and the recognition of a contingent payment from Tasly. Future collaboration and license revenue under existing agreements, and from any additional collaboration and license partners, will fluctuate as a result of the amount and timing of revenue recognition of upfront, milestones, and other agreement payments.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $243.0 million, as compared to $196.7 million for the same period in 2022. The year 2023 includes non-cash expenses for stock-based compensation of $24.9 million and depreciation and amortization of $6.8 million, as compared to $26.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively, in the comparable 2022 period. Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 were comprised of research and development expenses of $180.4 million and general and administrative expenses of $62.6 million.