On May 4, 2021 Oncorus, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONCR), a viral immunotherapies company focused on driving innovation to transform outcomes for cancer patients, reported first quarter 2021 financial results and highlighted recent achievements and developments (Press release, Oncorus, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579109]).

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"We began 2021 with strong momentum, announcing the buildout of our GMP manufacturing facility which is now well underway, and we continue to advance our ambitious goals on behalf of cancer patients," said Theodore (Ted) Ashburn, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Oncorus.

Dr. Ashburn further commented, "We continue to enroll patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial of ONCR-177, our lead oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus (oHSV) clinical candidate, and expect initial interim data later this year. We also anticipate nominating our first two synthetic viral RNA (vRNA) immunotherapy candidates in the first half of 2021. These candidates are comprised of vRNA coding for oncolytic viruses encapsulated within lipid nanoparticles, or LNPs – proprietary technologies developed by the Oncorus team. We have designed this novel approach to enable the systemic, repeat intravenous (IV) administration of viral immunotherapies, the so-called ‘holy grail’ of this modality, to date unattainable. We’re excited to introduce this breakthrough approach and discuss these candidates in more detail at an upcoming virtual investor event."

First Quarter 2021 and Recent Highlights

Enrolling Phase 1 clinical trial of ONCR-177. Oncorus is currently enrolling a Phase 1 clinical trial of its lead product candidate, ONCR-177, an intratumorally (iTu) administered oHSV viral immunotherapy being developed for multiple solid tumor indications. The Phase 1 open-label, multi-center, dose escalation and expansion clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ONCR-177. The trial will determine the recommended Phase 2 dose, as well as investigate ONCR-177’s preliminary anti-tumor activity, alone and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in patients with advanced and/or refractory cutaneous, subcutaneous or metastatic nodal solid tumors. Oncorus has an ongoing clinical trial collaboration with Merck involving KEYTRUDA and anticipates reporting interim data from the Phase 1 trial in the second half of 2021 through the second half of 2022.
Advancing lead Synthetic vRNA Immunotherapy Platform programs toward clinical candidate nomination. Oncorus continues to advance its lead synthetic, IV administered vRNA immunotherapy programs based on the Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21) and the Seneca Valley Virus (SVV). The company expects to nominate clinical candidates for both programs in the first half of 2021. IV administration of viral immunotherapies is an attractive approach for improving the standard of care for many cancer patients because it allows for all tumors, including micro-metastases, to be directly treated. In addition, it allows for the potential treatment of certain tumors, such as those of the lung, that are less amenable to repeat iTu injection of anti-cancer therapies due to safety and feasibility considerations. Oncorus’ Synthetic vRNA Immunotherapy Platform includes a novel LNP delivery strategy designed to overcome the challenges caused by neutralizing antibodies, which have limited the efficacy of previous industry efforts to treat tumors utilizing IV administration of OVs.
Advancing second oHSV viral immunotherapy candidate, ONCR-GBM. Leveraging its oHSV Platform, Oncorus is pursuing ONCR-GBM to specifically target brain cancer, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The company is utilizing its knowledge of microRNA expression to engineer a microRNA attenuation strategy to protect healthy brain tissue and select a combination of payloads intended to address the specific drivers of immune suppression in brain cancer. Oncorus plans to nominate its ONCR-GBM clinical candidate in the second half of 2021.
Announced buildout of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) viral immunotherapy clinical manufacturing facility. In January 2021, Oncorus announced the signing of a 15-year lease to build a state-of-the-art, 88,000 square foot GMP viral immunotherapy clinical manufacturing facility in Andover, Mass. The facility is intended to provide a comprehensive solution for Oncorus’ Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) development needs, enabling the manufacture, quality, control and supply of clinical-grade viral immunotherapies for investigational new drug (IND)-enabling and clinical studies. Oncorus anticipates the first phase of the facility’s buildout will be completed in late 2021, including process development and quality control, with GMP multi-product manufacturing capabilities and full operation commencing in early 2023.
Completed follow-on public offering. In February 2021, Oncorus completed an underwritten public offering of common stock, at a price of $19.00 per share, raising $57.0 million in aggregate gross proceeds.
First Quarter Financial Results

Cash and cash equivalents were $172.6 million as of March 31, 2021 compared to $130.3 million as of December 31, 2020.
Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 were $8.4 million compared to $5.9 million for the corresponding quarter in 2020. The increase in research and development expenses was mainly attributable to increased rent expense related to the Company’s new manufacturing facility, increased personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation, driven by increased headcount and increased clinical trial costs for the Company’s ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of ONCR-177.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 were $4.2 million compared to $2.1 million for the corresponding quarter in 2020. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increases in personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation, driven by increased compensation and increased headcount and increased costs, such as insurance expense and professional and consultant expenses, related to operating as a public company.
Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was $12.7 million, or $0.53 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $10.6 million, or $10.59 per share for the same quarter in 2020. The share and loss per share amounts in the first quarter of 2021 reflect the impact of the company’s IPO, which closed in October 2020, including the conversion of outstanding preferred stock into approximately 15.0 million shares of common stock.
Financial Guidance

Based upon its current operating plans and cash and cash equivalents, Oncorus expects to have sufficient capital to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into late 2023.