On March 9, 2018 Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PIRS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel biotherapeutics through its proprietary Anticalin technology platform for cancer, respiratory and other diseases, reported that financial results for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, MAR 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234524603]):
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PRS-343: Pieris continues to advance PRS-343, a tumor-targeted 4-1BB-based immuno-oncology (IO) bispecific, through a phase 1, dose-escalation study, with initial safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data expected in the second half of 2018. This program is the first bispecific T cell costimulatory agonist to enter clinical development.
PRS-060: The company continues to enroll healthy subjects in a first-in-human study for PRS-060, an IL-4 receptor alpha antagonist, which began during the fourth quarter of 2017. PRS-060 is the lead product in the company’s respiratory alliance with AstraZeneca. Pieris is sponsoring the phase 1 study, while AstraZeneca is responsible for funding its costs. Initial data from the phase 1 study are expected in the fourth quarter of 2018. AstraZeneca will sponsor and continue to fund clinical development of PRS-060 through phase 2a, after which the company may exercise an option to co-develop PRS-060. Pieris also has an option for U.S. co-commercialization rights for this program.
PRS-080: Pieris continues to enroll dialysis-dependent patients with functional iron deficiency anemia in a phase 2a study for PRS-080. Pieris intends to report safety and pharmacodynamic data from this study, including the change in hemoglobin levels after five weekly doses of PRS-080, in the second half of 2018. If data are positive, the company will seek to partner PRS-080 in territories outside of those for which ASKA Pharmaceutical Co. has an exclusive option (Japan and certain other Asian territories).
Seattle Genetics Collaboration: On February 9, 2018, the company announced a multi-program IO-focused alliance with Seattle Genetics. The collaboration leverages the expertise and core technologies of both companies to develop novel Antibody-Anticalin bispecific fusion proteins utilizing Seattle Genetics’ tumor-targeted monoclonal antibodies and Pieris’ costimulatory engaging Anticalin proteins. Under the collaboration, Seattle Genetics will pay Pieris a $30 million upfront fee. Pieris has the potential to receive up to $1.2 billion in success-based payments in addition to royalties up to the double digits in connection with the sales of commercialized products, as well as an option to co-develop and commercialize one of the programs in the U.S.
Equity Financing: In February 2018, the company completed an underwritten public offering in which it sold 6,325,000 shares of common stock, including the full exercise of the over-allotment of an additional 825,000 shares, to the public at a price of $8.00 per share. Net proceeds of the underwritten public offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and financing costs, were $47.3 million.
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $82.6 million as of December 31, 2017. This amount excludes payment of a $12.5 million milestone from AstraZeneca achieved in the fourth quarter of 2017, the $47.3 million in net proceeds from the February 2018 equity financing, and the $30.0 million upfront payment due from Seattle Genetics.
"2017 was a transformational year for Pieris, as we advanced our lead respiratory and IO drug candidates into the clinic, while advancing PRS-080 into a phase 2a study and entering into two major alliances, in respiratory diseases and IO, bringing increased validation to our R&D strategy while retaining commercial rights on several partnered programs and strengthening our cash position," said Stephen S. Yoder, President and CEO. "This momentum continued into 2018 as we signed a significant IO collaboration agreement with Seattle Genetics. We are developing three clinical-stage programs, data from all of which are projected to be available later this year. In addition, we continue to build long-term value by advancing multiple preclinical IO programs with the intention to file two new INDs in 2019, while engaging in a broad research effort developing novel Anticalin proteins against multiple targets in both IO and respiratory diseases. We look forward to sharing data across our pipeline later this year."
Fiscal Year Financial Update:
Cash Position – Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $82.6 million as of December 31, 2017, compared to a cash balance of $29.4 million as of December 31, 2016. The increase was driven primarily by a $45.0 million upfront payment received as part of the AstraZeneca respiratory alliance, a EUR30.0 million (approximately $32.0 million) upfront payment received from Servier, and a $2.8 million option payment received from ASKA. This was offset by $39.3 million of operating cash expenditures during the year.
R&D Expense – R&D expenses were $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company’s increase in R&D expenses reflects advancement across its pipeline of programs as well as preparation for and advancement of clinical studies.
G&A Expense – G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $17.6 million, compared to $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in the 2017 period as compared to the corresponding period in 2016 is attributable in part to transaction fees associated with the company’s partnership agreements and investments in our G&A functions including personnel costs, recruiting costs, and professional services (audit, tax, legal and communications) to support the growing business.
Net Loss – Net loss was $17.6 million or $(0.40) per share for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to a net loss $22.8 million or $(0.55) per share for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Conference Call:
Pieris management will host a conference call beginning at 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on Friday, March 9, 2018, to discuss the full year financial results and provide a corporate update. You can join the call by dialing +1-877-407-8920 (US & Canada) or +1-412-902-1010 (International). An archived replay of the call will be available by dialing +1-877-660-6853 (US & Canada) or +1-201-612-7415 (International) and providing the Conference ID #: 13661472.