On August 6, 2020 Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (Monopar or the Company) (Nasdaq: MNPR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on developing proprietary therapeutics designed to extend life or improve the quality of life for cancer patients, reported second quarter 2020 financial results and business updates (Press release, Monopar Therapeutics, AUG 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234563042]).

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Second Quarter and Recent Highlights

Collaboration with NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes to Develop Potential Therapeutic for Severe COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Diseases

Monopar and NorthStar entered into a 50/50 collaboration to develop potential Radio-Immuno-Therapeutics (RITs) to treat severe COVID-19.

Monopar will provide its pre-IND stage humanized uPAR targeted monoclonal antibody, known as MNPR-101, and NorthStar will supply a cytotoxic radioisotope. The aim is to create a highly selective agent that has the potential to kill aberrantly activated cytokine-producing immune cells thought to be largely responsible for the severe lung injury that contributes to poor outcomes and death in patients with severe COVID-19.

Provisional patent has been filed that covers novel compositions and uses of cytotoxic radioisotopes attached to antibodies that bind to uPAR, thereby creating precision targeted radio-immuno-therapeutics (uPRITs) for the treatment of severe COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.
Validive Phase 2b/3 Clinical Trial and Camsirubicin Phase 2 Clinical Trial Continue on Schedule

Monopar’s two clinical-stage programs both continue to be on schedule for first patient dosing in the second half of 2020.
Second Quarter Summary Financial Results

Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to the Quarter Ended June 30, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2020 were $12.5 million. Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.4 million or $0.14 per share compared to net loss of $0.9 million or $0.10 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses

R&D expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were $0.8 million, compared to $0.3 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2019. This represents an increase of $0.5 million primarily attributed to increases in camsirubicin and Validive clinical trial planning and materials manufacturing costs and increases in personnel expenses for three new R&D employees and higher salary and stock-based (non-cash) compensation for 2020.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses

G&A expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were $0.6 million, compared to $0.6 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2019.