On March 12, 2020 SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SWTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing life-changing medicines for patients with severe rare diseases and cancer, provided an update on recent company developments and reported fourth quarter and full-year financial results for the period ended December 31, 2019 (Press release, SpringWorks Therapeutics, MAR 12, 2020, View Source [SID1234555498]).

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"2019 was a very successful year for SpringWorks. We initiated three clinical trials, including two potentially registrational trials in rare oncology indications, formed MapKure with BeiGene to advance a next-generation B-RAF inhibitor, and signed our first collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline to evaluate nirogacestat in combination with BCMA-directed therapies in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma," said Saqib Islam, Chief Executive Officer of SpringWorks. "Our strong execution in 2019 positions us to deliver on our planned strategy in 2020 and beyond. We are pursuing a broad effort with industry-leading BCMA developers to advance potentially best-in-class multiple myeloma combination therapies using nirogacestat, are focused on continuing to enroll our ongoing clinical trials and further expanding our portfolio through additional in-licenses and collaborations."

Recent Business Highlights

Initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of BGB-3245, a selective next-generation B-RAF inhibitor, in adult patients with biomarker-defined advanced or refractory solid

tumors. BGB-3245 is being advanced by MapKure LLC, a clinical-stage company that is jointly owned by SpringWorks and BeiGene, Ltd.

 Entered into a clinical collaboration agreement with Allogene Therapeutics to evaluate nirogacestat in combination with ALLO-715, an investigational anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) allogeneic CAR T cell therapy, in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

 Presented data at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting showing activity of nirogacestat alone and in combination with GlaxoSmithKline’s investigational BCMA antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), belantamab mafodotin, in preclinical models of human multiple myeloma.

Dosed the first patients in the Phase 2b ReNeu clinical trial evaluating mirdametinib in children and adults with neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PN).

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Financial Results

 Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were

$12.2 million and $42.5 million for the fourth quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, compared to $3.7 million and $9.9 million for the comparable periods of 2018, respectively. The increases in R&D expenses in 2019 were primarily attributable to increased clinical study and drug supply costs related to the ongoing Phase 3 DeFi and Phase 2b ReNeu trials, as well as growth in employee costs, including non-cash share-based compensation associated with increases in the number of R&D personnel.

 General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $5.2 million and $16.7 million for the fourth quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, compared to $2.7 million and $8.6 million for the comparable periods of 2018, respectively. The increases in G&A expenses in 2019 were primarily attributable to growth in employee costs, including non-cash share-based compensation associated with increases in the number of G&A personnel, and increases in consulting and professional services related to the expansion of our business activities.

 Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders: SpringWorks reported net losses of $16.2 million, or $0.39 loss per share, and $50.6 million, or $3.81 loss per share, for the fourth quarter and year-to-date periods ended December 31, 2019, respectively. This compares to net losses of $6.2 million, or $10.82 loss per unit, and $17.8 million, or $52.24 loss per unit, for the comparable periods of 2018, respectively.

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $327.7 million as of December 31, 2019.