On November 10, 2016 ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: DNAI), a clinical stage drug development company focused on advancing targeted therapeutics for the treatment of patients with cancer, reported its financial and operational results for the third quarter of 2016 (Press release, ProNAi Therapeutics, NOV 10, 2016, View Source [SID1234516692]).

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"Over the past few months we’ve successfully re-established ProNAi as a clinical stage oncology company advancing promising drug candidates that target the DNA Damage Response (DDR) network. This is a particularly compelling target space in oncology, highlighted by growing enthusiasm for the PARP inhibitors, which also inhibit a component of the DDR network," said Dr. Nick Glover, President and CEO of ProNAi Therapeutics. "Our candidates seek to leverage the DDR network beyond PARP with ‘next generation’ DDR therapeutics targeting Chk1 and Cdc7, and we plan to conduct broad clinical development programs for these assets supported by robust research with the goal of efficiently determining their potential utility for the treatment of a variety of oncology indications."

During the quarter, ProNAi reported it had licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to PNT737, a highly selective, orally available, small molecule inhibitor of Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1). PNT737 is being investigated in two Phase 1 clinical trials being conducted at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and other centers in the United Kingdom. ProNAi anticipates expanding on the current clinical program underway for PNT737, including into the United States, with the expectation of filing an Investigational New Drug application in the second half of 2017.

To support broader studies in well-defined patient populations, ProNAi plans to conduct research designed to explore markers of sensitivity to PNT737 that may facilitate patient selection and to identify additional therapeutic combination opportunities. A possible development path for PNT737 is the treatment of tumors carrying mutations in genes known to contribute to DNA damage and genomic instability – a key hallmark of cancer. The significant and persistent DNA damage caused by these mutations, coupled with Chk1 inhibition, may result in death of the cancer cells, a synergistic effect referred to as ‘synthetic lethality’. Similarly, excessive DNA damage can be induced with other DDR targeting agents such as PARP inhibitors, as well as certain chemotherapies or radiation, highlighting the potential for synergies between these modalities and Chk1 inhibition.

ProNAi is also advancing PNT141, a Cdc7 inhibitor that regulates DNA replication and the DDR network in a different, potentially complementary way to PNT737. Inhibiting both Chk1 and Cdc7 simultaneously may be advantageous and presents the potential for novel combination strategies for PNT737 and PNT141.

Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results (all amounts reported in U.S. currency)
Research and development expenses increased to $12.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Research and development expenses increased to $28.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $18.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. These increases in 2016 were primarily due to a $7.0 million upfront fee due to CRT Pioneer Fund LP (CPF) for the exclusive license of PNT737, the recognition of a $2.0 million fee that will be due upon the successful transfer of two ongoing clinical trials in accordance with the license agreement and a $0.9 million upfront fee paid to Carna Biosciences, Inc. for the exclusive license of PNT141. The remaining increase was attributable to increased personnel-related costs and a non-recurring $2.4 million restructuring charge related to estimated close-out expenses for PNT2258. These were partially offset by a decrease in third-party manufacturing and clinical trial costs.

General and administrative expenses increased to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. General and administrative expenses increased to $10.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. These increases in 2016 were primarily due to increased personnel-related costs and fees incurred in support of activities as a public company and corporate growth, costs pertaining to business development activities and a $0.4 million non-recurring restructuring charge.

Total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were $15.3 million compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $38.8 million compared to $24.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Total operating expenses included non-cash stock based compensation of $1.3 million and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and of $1.3 and $1.9 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, ProNAi incurred a net loss of $15.2 million compared to a net loss of $18.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, ProNAi incurred a net loss of $38.6 million compared to a net loss of $41.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, net loss included a non-cash charge related to the change in fair value of preferred stock warrants of $7.5 million and $17.4 million.

At September 30, 2016, ProNAi had $122.7 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to $150.2 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, ProNAi paid the $7.0 million upfront fee due to CPF for the exclusive license of PNT737.

At September 30, 2016, there were 30,350,560 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and stock options to purchase 6,629,163 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.