On August 13, 2024 Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO) ("Fortress"), an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring and advancing assets to enhance long-term value for shareholders through product revenue, equity holdings and dividend and royalty revenue, reported financial results and recent corporate highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Fortress Biotech, AUG 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234645805]).
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Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We had a very productive first half of the year and we anticipate an exciting second half, as we have a New Drug Application ("NDA") and a Biologics License Application ("BLA") on file with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") from our diversified portfolio, both with PDUFA goal dates in the fourth quarter, including DFD-29 for rosacea and cosibelimab for metastatic and locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma ("cSCC"). Our late-stage candidates could generate up to three regulatory approvals in the next 12 months and a potential fourth BLA submission as early as 2025. Additionally, we had a solid second quarter 2024 of product revenue from our marketed dermatology products of $14.9 million, representing growth of approximately 15% compared to first quarter 2024 product revenues of $13.0 million. We continue to prioritize the development of our candidates and the expansion of our business for long-term success. This involves business development efforts and the growth of additional revenue streams, all aimed at benefiting our shareholders. Our business model provides the potential for significant growth as we acquire new assets and our subsidiary and partner companies grow in value, allowing for the opportunity to collect diversified cashflows such as royalties, milestones, product revenues, cash and stock dividends and through meaningful monetizations."
Recent Corporate Highlights1:
Regulatory Updates
● In March 2024, the FDA accepted the NDA for DFD-29 (Minocycline Hydrochloride Modified Release Capsules, 40 mg) and set a PDUFA goal date of November 4, 2024. If approved, DFD-29 has the potential to be the new treatment paradigm for the millions of patients suffering from inflammatory lesions and erythema of rosacea. Both double blinded, randomized controlled DFD-29 Phase 3 clinical trials achieved their co-primary and all secondary endpoints with subjects completing the 16-week treatment with no significant safety issues. DFD-29 demonstrated statistical superiority compared to both Oracea capsules and placebo for Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) treatment success and
1 The development programs depicted in this press release include product candidates in development at Fortress, at Fortress’ private subsidiaries (referred to herein as "subsidiaries"), at Fortress’ public subsidiaries (referred to herein as "partner companies") and at entities with whom one of the foregoing parties has a significant business relationship, such as an exclusive license or an ongoing product-related payment obligation (such entities referred to herein as "partners"). The words "we", "us" and "our" may refer to Fortress individually, to one or more of our subsidiaries and/or partner companies, or to all such entities as a group, as dictated by context. the reduction in the total inflammatory lesion count in both clinical trials. Additionally, DFD-29 showed significantly superior reduction in Clinicians Erythema Assessment compared to placebo in both of the Phase 3 clinical trials. DFD-29 is currently in development at our partner company, Journey Medical Corporation (Nasdaq: DERM) ("Journey Medical").
● In July 2024, the FDA accepted the BLA resubmission for cosibelimab, our investigational anti-PD-L1 antibody, as a treatment for patients with metastatic or locally advanced cSCC who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation, and set a PDUFA goal date of December 28, 2024. In June 2024, we reached alignment with the FDA on our BLA resubmission strategy for cosibelimab and announced the resubmission of the BLA in July 2024. Cosibelimab is currently in development at our partner company, Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKPT) ("Checkpoint").
Clinical Updates
● In May 2024, we announced that the last patient had completed dosing in a Phase 1b/2a study evaluating AJ201 in the U.S. for the treatment of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy ("SBMA"), also known as Kennedy’s Disease. SBMA is a debilitating rare genetic neuromuscular disease primarily affecting men. Topline data for the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of AJ201 to treat SBMA are currently expected in the second half of 2024. A webcast replay of the Key Opinion Leader event that took place in April 2024 highlighting expert perspectives on SBMA is available on the Events page of Avenue’s website at View Source AJ201 is currently in development at our partner company, Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATXI) ("Avenue").
● The Phase 2 clinical trial of Triplex, a cytomegalovirus vaccine, for adults co-infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus ("HIV") and CMV is now fully enrolled with topline data anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024. The study aims to show that vaccination with Triplex can safely elicit a CMV-specific immune response and reduce asymptomatic CMV replication in a population of people with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy. The study will also evaluate whether this intervention might reduce chronic inflammation and immune activation, as compared to placebo, and thus, potentially reduce related mortality and morbidity. Triplex is currently in development at our subsidiary company, Helocyte, Inc.
● In May 2024, we announced that the first patient was dosed in a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized Phase 2 study of Triplex, a vaccine for control of CMV, in patients undergoing liver transplantation. The trial will enroll up to 416 CMV seronegative prospective liver transplant recipients and will be conducted across up to 20 nationally recognized transplant centers in the U.S. The trial is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health that could provide over $20 million in non-dilutive funding. We believe this data set could ultimately be used to support the approval of Triplex in this setting.
Other Updates
● In July 2024, we announced a collaboration to explore the combined therapeutic potential of cosibelimab, our anti-PD-L1 antibody, with GC Cell’s Immuncell-LC, an innovative autologous Cytokine Induced Killer ("CIK") T cell therapy composed of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer T cells.
● In July 2024, our majority owned and controlled subsidiary company, Urica Therapeutics, Inc. ("Urica"), entered into an asset purchase agreement, royalty agreement, and related agreements (collectively, the "Transaction Documents") with Crystalys Therapeutics, Inc. ("Crystalys"). Crystalys is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 2022 and seeded by leading life sciences institutional investors. Under the Transaction Documents, Urica transferred rights to its URAT1 inhibitor product candidate in development for the treatment of gout, dotinurad, and related intellectual property, licenses and agreements to Crystalys. In return, Crystalys issued to Urica shares of its common stock equal to 35% of Crystalys’ outstanding equity. The Transaction Documents also grant Urica a securitized three percent (3%) royalty on future net sales of dotinurad to be paid by Crystalys, as well as the right to receive nominal cash reimbursement payments for certain clinical and development costs incurred by Urica related to dotinurad.
● In October 2023, we announced an exclusive worldwide option agreement with City of Hope ("COH") to license certain intellectual property relating to a CMV/HIV bi-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor
("CAR") (collectively, CMV/HIV-CAR) T cell program for the treatment of adults living with HIV, optionally in combination with Triplex. Additionally, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded a $11.3 million grant to COH to fund a Phase 1 clinical trial involving the CMV/HIV-CAR T. In preclinical studies, administration of the bi-specific CAR T cells followed by administration of a CMV vaccine successfully eradicated HIV, including from latent reservoirs.
Commercial Product Updates
● Journey Medical’s total net revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $14.9 million, compared to total net revenues of $13.0 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
General Corporate:
● In April 2024, Avenue announced the exercise of warrants for $4.4 million in gross proceeds and a 1-for-75 reverse split of its issued and outstanding common stock.
● In May and June 2024, Mustang Bio raised approximately $6.5 million across two offerings of its common stock and warrants.
● In July 2024, Checkpoint raised $12 million in a registered direct offering priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules.
● In July 2024, Fortress’ Board of Directors paused the payment of dividends on the Company’s 9.375% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Stock") until further notice. The Company believes pausing the dividend is in the best interest of the Company and its stakeholders to maintain financial flexibility ahead of potentially significant inflection points. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock accrue in accordance with their terms; the pausing of these dividends will defer approximately $0.7 million in cash dividend payments each month. The Board intends to revisit its decision regarding the monthly dividend regularly and will assess the profitability and cash flow of the Company to determine whether and when the suspension should be lifted.
● Also in July 2024, Fortress reduced its total debt by entering into a new loan agreement maturing in July 2027 with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Oaktree"), a leading global investment firm. The Company received an initial tranche of $35 million and is eligible to draw an additional $15 million with Oaktree’s consent. In connection with the new loan agreement, the Company repaid its prior term loan with Oaktree of $50 million resulting in a net paydown of $15 million of debt excluding accrued interest and prepayment fees.
Financial Results:
● As of June 30, 2024, Fortress’ consolidated cash and cash equivalents totaled $76.2 million, compared to $83.8 million as of March 31, 2024 and compared to $80.9 million as of December 31, 2023, a decrease of $7.6 million during the quarter and a decrease of $4.7 million year-to-date.
● Fortress’ consolidated cash and cash equivalents, totaling $76.2 million as of June 30, 2024, includes $38.2 million attributable to Fortress and the private subsidiaries, $4.9 million attributable to Avenue, $5.0 million attributable to Checkpoint, $4.3 million attributable to Mustang Bio and $23.9 million attributable to Journey Medical.
o Fortress’ consolidated cash and cash equivalents totaled $80.9 million as of December 31, 2023, which included $40.6 million attributable to Fortress and private subsidiaries, $1.8 million attributable to Avenue, $4.9 million attributable to Checkpoint, $6.2 million attributable to Mustang Bio and $27.4 million attributable to Journey Medical.
● Fortress’ consolidated net revenue totaled $14.9 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, most of which was generated from our marketed dermatology products. This compares to consolidated revenue totaling $17.4 million for the second quarter of 2023, which included $17.0 million in revenue generated from our marketed dermatology products.
● Consolidated research and development expenses including license acquisitions totaled $12.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $32.1 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.
● Consolidated selling, general and administrative costs were $20.8 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $24.4 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.
● Consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(13.3) million, or $(0.73) per share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(26.9) million, or $(3.65) per share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.