On August 6, 2020 Cytokinetics, Incorporated (Nasdaq: CYTK) reported financial results for the second quarter of 2020 (Press release, Cytokinetics, AUG 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234563036]). Net loss for the second quarter was $40.8 million, or $0.68 per share, compared to net loss for the second quarter of 2019 of $32.1 million, or $0.56 per share. Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $213.1 million at June 30, 2020.

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After the quarter, Cytokinetics executed a series of transactions which contribute up to $250 million in cash plus committed cash, as well as up to $200 million in potential milestone payments plus royalties. Also, after the quarter, the company raised $189 million through a public offering of common stock. Cytokinetics expects to end 2020 with more than $500 million in cash plus committed cash, subject to closing conditions.

"Despite challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cytokinetics achieved significant progress against our key objectives during the second quarter," said Robert I. Blum, Cytokinetics’ President and Chief Executive Office. "After suspending enrollment in METEORIC-HF and REDWOOD-HCM earlier in the quarter, we resumed screening and enrollment in both trials during June. In addition, GALACTIC-HF continued toward conclusion on schedule with top-line results expected in the fourth quarter. Moreover, our recent licensing collaboration, royalty monetization deals and follow-on offering position the company operationally and financially to expand development activities and execute our Vision 2025."

Recent Highlights

Cardiac Muscle Programs

omecamtiv mecarbil (cardiac myosin activator)

Received Fast Track designation for omecamtiv mecarbil for the potential treatment of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Continued conduct of and initiated closeout activities for GALACTIC-HF (Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac Outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure), the Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes clinical trial of omecamtiv mecarbil. We expect top-line results in Q4 2020. GALACTIC-HF is being conducted by Amgen in collaboration with Cytokinetics.
Continued conduct of METEORIC-HF (Multicenter Exercise Tolerance Evaluation of Omecamtiv Mecarbil Related to Increased Contractility in Heart Failure), the second Phase 3 trial of omecamtiv mecarbil. After suspending enrollment in METEORIC-HF due to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, we resumed enrollment in June. We expect enrollment to be completed in early 2021. METEORIC-HF is being conducted by Cytokinetics in collaboration with Amgen.
Collaborated with Amgen and Servier on preparations for a potential Marketing Application dossier for omecamtiv mecarbil and prepared for possible meetings with regulatory authorities as may be requested to discuss Phase 3 trial results and potential Marketing Applications.
Continued to conduct commercial readiness activities in collaboration with Amgen, in preparation for the commercialization of omecamtiv mecarbil, including market research related to product branding elements, potential positioning, physician preferences and potential customer accounts.
Continued joint disease state education with Amgen to educate the heart failure community on the unmet needs of heart failure patients and the role of cardiac contractility related to cardiac performance in HFrEF.
Collaborated with providers and healthcare systems to generate health economics and outcomes research related to the healthcare costs associated with the treatment of heart failure patients.
Conducted analyses related to the United States heart failure institutional care market segment, including potential target account assessment and prioritization for planned commercialization.
AMG 594 (cardiac troponin activator)

The Phase 1 study of AMG 594 is now complete with data analyses ongoing. Amgen and Cytokinetics are discussing potential next steps in the development program.
Conducted market research relating to potential indications to inform Phase 2 trial planning.
CK-3773274 (CK-274, cardiac myosin inhibitor)

Continued conduct of REDWOOD-HCM (Randomized Evaluation of Dosing With CK-274 in Obstructive Outflow Disease in HCM), the Phase 2 clinical trial designed to determine the safety and tolerability of CK-274 in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). After suspending enrollment in REDWOOD-HCM due to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, we resumed enrollment in June. We expect data from the first cohort of patients in REDWOOD-HCM, which will inform progression of the trial to the second cohort, to be available by the end of 2020.
CK-271 (CK-271, second cardiac myosin inhibitor)

Prepared for the start of a Phase 1 study of CK-271 which is expected to begin in Q3 2020.
Skeletal Muscle Program

reldesemtiv (next-generation fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA))

Obtained advice from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) through Protocol Assistance related to the design of a potential Phase 3 clinical trial of reldesemtiv in patients with ALS.
Convened meetings with clinical experts, ALS patient advocates and health technology assessment organizations to obtain feedback on endpoints and other matters relating to the design of the trial.
Pre-Clinical Development and Ongoing Research

Continued pre-clinical development of CK-3762601 (CK-601), a next-generation FSTA. We expect to continue the conduct of IND-enabling studies of CK-601 in 2020.
Continued research in collaboration with Astellas directed to the discovery of next-generation skeletal muscle activators.
Continued independent research activities directed to our other muscle biology research programs.
Corporate

Participated in the launch of Kainomyx, Inc., a new biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of parasitic diseases.
Executed a series of transactions in July with RTW Investments, LP, and Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Limited related to CK-274 whereby Cytokinetics will receive a combination of committed capital, funding and sale proceeds of up to $250 million and is eligible to receive up to $200 million in milestone payments plus royalties on future sales of CK-274 in certain Asian countries.
Raised $189 million in net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, from an underwritten public offering in July of 8,385,417 shares of common stock including the underwriter’s exercise of their overallotment option.
Amended our agreement with Astellas, whereby Cytokinetics obtained exclusive rights for the development and commercialization of reldesemtiv, CK-601 and other fast skeletal regulatory activator (FSRA) compounds. Astellas agreed to pay for certain costs associated with the conduct of a potential Phase 3 clinical trial of reldesemtiv in ALS in exchange for a low- to mid-single digit royalty on sales of reldesemtiv in ALS. Astellas and Cytokinetics also extended the joint research program through 2020.
Announced the continuation of our partnership with The ALS Association in the fight against ALS.
Supported the Patient Focused Drug Development Meeting hosted by the HCMA to shed light on the burden of disease and challenges faced by patients with HCM.
Financials

Revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were $3.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively, compared to $7.1 million and $15.6 million for the corresponding periods in 2019. The decrease in revenues for the three and six month ended June 30, 2020 was due primarily to the completion of FORTITUDE-ALS in 2019.

Research and development expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 decreased to $21.8 million and $43.5 million, respectively, compared to $24.0 million and $47.6 million for the same periods in 2019, respectively, due to decreased spending primarily related to the completion of FORTITUDE-ALS in 2019 offset by an increase in spending for REDWOOD-HCM.

General and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 increased to $14.2 million and $26.6 million from $9.8 million and $19.3 million in 2019 due primarily to an increase in personnel related costs including stock-based compensation and higher outside spending for commercial readiness.

Financial Guidance

The company also updated financial guidance for 2020. The company still anticipates cash revenue will be in the range of $18 to $22 million and operating expenses will be in the range of $120 to $130 million. Guidance for net cash utilization has been narrowed to the range of $110 to $115 million for 2020.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Members of Cytokinetics’ senior management team will review the company’s second quarter 2020 results via a webcast and conference call today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The webcast can be accessed through the Investors & Media section of the Cytokinetics website at www.cytokinetics.com. The live audio of the conference call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing either (866) 999-CYTK (2985) (United States and Canada) or +1 (706) 679-3078 (international) and typing in the passcode 5588711.

An archived replay of the webcast will be available via Cytokinetics’ website until August 20, 2020. The replay will also be available via telephone by dialing (855) 859-2056 (United States and Canada) or +1 (404) 537-3406 (international) and typing in the passcode 5588711 from August 6, 2020 at 7:30 PM Eastern Time until August 20, 2020.