On May 6, 2020 Principia Biopharma Inc. (Nasdaq: PRNB), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for immune-mediated diseases, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Principia Biopharma, MAY 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234557140]).
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"Despite these challenging times of a COVID-19 pandemic, our focus remains on our commitment to delivering for patients with immune-mediated diseases through continued enrollment in our clinical trials and broadening our BTK footprint. We are also excited about the positive Phase 2 data in multiple sclerosis that Sanofi presented studying our partnered investigational brain penetrant BTK inhibitor, PRN2246/SAR442168, which is further validation of our drug discovery platform," said Martin Babler, president and chief executive officer of Principia.
Principia remains focused on executing its business plan in the midst of this global pandemic, including advancing its ongoing clinical trials. In considering the current impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Principia is not changing previously communicated guidance except in the case of its Phase 2 trial of rilzabrutinib in patients with IgG4-RD, which now will begin in the second half of 2020 rather than the first half as originally planned.
First Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $341.1 million as of March 31, 2020, compared to $367.8 million as of December 31, 2019.
Revenues: We did not recognize any collaboration revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2019. Revenue in the first quarter of 2019 was related to the recognition of a portion of an upfront payment received in 2017 from AbbVie Biotechnology Limited.
R&D Expenses: Total research and development expenses were $26.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, including stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million, compared to $15.5 million for the same period in 2019, including stock-based compensation expense of $1.2 million. The increase in total research and development expenses was mainly driven by an increase in rilzabrutinib program costs, due to the progression of our global Phase 3 trial in pemphigus, ongoing Phase 2 trial in ITP and certain manufacturing campaigns to supply drug products for our rilzabrutinib
clinical trials, the initiation of our Phase 1 trial for PRN473 Topical and an increase in employee-related expenses.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, including stock-based compensation expense of $2.0 million, compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2019, including stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million. The increase in total general and administrative expenses was primarily driven by increased employee-related expenses.
Net Income (Loss): For the three months ended March 31, 2020, net loss was $32.5 million compared to a net loss of $13.7 million for the same period in 2019.