On March 29, 2021 Silverback Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBTX) ("Silverback"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary ImmunoTAC technology platform to develop systemically delivered, tissue targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, chronic viral infections, and other serious diseases, reported financial results and provided a corporate update for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020 (Press release, Silverback Therapeutics, MAR 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234577264]).

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"2020 was an extraordinary year for Silverback, with the initiation of our first clinical study for SBT6050, in which pharmacological activity was observed in the first dose cohort, the advancement of each of our preclinical programs, expansion of our strong team, and the successful closing of our IPO in December," said Laura Shawver, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Silverback. "We are well-positioned to execute on our mission to develop a new class of tissue-localized therapies that are designed to modulate fundamental biological pathways in cancer and beyond."

2020 Corporate Highlights and 2021 Anticipated Milestones

SBT6050 (HER2-TLR8 ImmunoTAC) Phase 1/1b clinical study initiated, with pharmacological activity demonstrated in the first dose cohort. SBT6050 is being studied as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-expressing solid tumors. Changes in pharmacodynamic markers consistent with the potential mechanism of action have been observed in patients treated in the first monotherapy dose cohort. Enrollment is ongoing in Part 1 of the study (SBT6050 monotherapy dose escalation) and treatment has been initiated in Part 3 of the study (SBT6050 plus pembrolizumab dose-escalation). Silverback is on track to deliver interim clinical data from Part 1 of the study in the second half of 2021.
SBT6290 (Nectin4-TLR8 ImmunoTAC) continues to advance through preclinical development. SBT6290 includes the same TLR8 agonist linker-payload used in SBT6050, conjugated to a proprietary Nectin4-directed monoclonal antibody. Pre-Investigational New Drug (IND) alignment with the FDA was achieved in February 2021 and an IND application is expected in the fourth quarter of 2021. The initiation of a Phase 1/1b clinical study is anticipated in the first quarter of 2022.
SBT8230 (ASGR1-TLR8 ImmunoTAC) development candidate selected in the fourth quarter of 2020. SBT8230 includes the same TLR8 agonist linker-payload used in SBT6050, conjugated to a proprietary ASGR1-directed monoclonal antibody, and is designed to activate human myeloid cells in the liver for treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral infection. CMC scale up and preclinical work continues with IND-enabling toxicology studies expected to commence in the first quarter of 2022.
Completed initial public offering resulting in $277.7 million in gross proceeds. Silverback completed an IPO in December 2020, selling 13,225,000 shares at a public offering price of $21.00 per share, raising gross proceeds of $277.7 million (before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs). In September 2020, the Company completed a Series C financing, raising $85.0 million in gross proceeds, and in March, July and September 2020, completed a Series B financing, raising $78.5 million in gross proceeds (including $10.1 million upon the conversion of then outstanding convertible notes and accrued interest thereon).
Financial Results

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020, Silverback reported a net loss of $13.1 million, compared to a net loss of $7.0 million for the comparable period in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported a net loss of $32.9 million, compared to a net loss of $24.0 million for 2019. Net loss for the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 included non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively, compared to $42,000 and $148,000 for the same periods in 2019, respectively.

Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020 were $8.8 million, compared to $6.3 million for the same period in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, research and development expenses were $24.6 million, compared to $21.5 million for 2019. The increases in the Company’s research and development expenses for the 2020 periods, as compared to the same periods in 2019, were primarily attributable to the advancement of pipeline programs, including SBT6290 and SBT8230, into preclinical development. Silverback also incurred additional personnel-related expenses in 2020 as compared to 2019 as operations grew in support of program advances. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in expenses related to the development of SBT6050 as the program completed manufacturing activities and initiated a Phase 1/1b clinical trial in the second half of 2020.

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020 were $4.3 million, compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, general and administrative expenses were $8.3 million, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2019. The increases in general and administrative expenses for the 2020 periods, as compared to the same periods in 2019, were primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related expenses due to increased headcount in 2020, including new executives, as well as increases in salaries, bonuses, and stock-based compensation. The increase in general and administrative expenses was also due to an increase in legal fees, professional fees, and other various general and administrative expenses as we prepared to become a public company.

As of December 31, 2020, Silverback reported cash and cash equivalents of $386.6 million, compared to $10.0 million at December 31, 2019, which is expected to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 24 months. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2020 included $255.3 million of proceeds, net of offering costs, from the Company’s initial public offering in December 2020, and $153.3 million of proceeds, net of offering costs, from the Company’s Series B and Series C financings in 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 34,801,537 common shares outstanding.