On August 13, 2024 Theriva Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Theriva Biologics, AUG 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234645830]).
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"We remain on track to complete enrollment for VIRAGE, our Phase 2b trial in metastatic PDAC during the third quarter and are pleased with the FDA’s decision to grant FTD to VCN-01, highlighting the urgent need for new options to treat this deadly disease," said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. "Our lead oncolytic virus (OV) product candidate, VCN-01 is uniquely designed for co-administration with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy to enhance tumor access by these agents and elicit a persistent antitumor immune response. The ongoing VIRAGE trial is evaluating VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, as a first line therapy to enable the earliest possible use in metastatic PDAC. We look forward to building upon the compelling clinical data from Phase 1 studies that underscores VCN-01’s multiple modes of action and potential to overcome historical challenges around systemic OV administration. Beyond PDAC, we continue to pursue opportunities that maximize the therapeutic potential of VCN-01. To that end, we are excited by the grant of RPDD to VCN-01 for the treatment of children with retinoblastoma. We will continue to build a portfolio of potentially improved therapeutic combinations as part of our broader strategy to address unmet needs for difficult to treat cancers. Additionally, we have taken steps to further rationalized our burn, which will allow us to extend our cash runway by an additional quarter and bring us closer to the completion and data readout of the VIRAGE trial."
Recent Program Highlights and Anticipated Milestones:
VCN-01:
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC):
Dosing is underway and enrollment is nearing completion for VIRAGE, the randomized, controlled, multicenter, open-label Phase 2b trial of VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) as a first line therapy in newly diagnosed metastatic PDAC patients. The trial intends to enroll 92 evaluable patients across sites in the U.S. and Spain, and is expected to complete enrollment in the third quarter of 2024.
The U.S. FDA granted FTD to lead clinical candidate VCN-01 in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel to improve progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Overall survival and progression free survival are the primary and key secondary endpoints respectively in the ongoing VIRAGE study. Both the FDA and EMA previously granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 for treatment of PDAC.
Retinoblastoma:
Results from the investigator sponsored Phase 1 trial evaluating the safety and activity of intravitreal VCN-01 in pediatric patients with refractory retinoblastoma were determined to be positive by the study Monitoring Committee. Discussions with key opinion leaders worldwide, as well as with regulatory agencies, are ongoing to refine our retinoblastoma clinical strategy.
The U.S. FDA granted RPDD to lead clinical candidate VCN-01 to treat pediatric patients with retinoblastoma. The FDA has previously granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 in this indication.
If a Biologics License Application for VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma is ultimately approved by the FDA, Theriva may be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review for any subsequent marketing application, or may be sold or transferred.
SYN-004 (ribaxamase):
Dosing and safety follow-up were completed for the second cohort of the Phase 1b/2a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD).
If the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee recommends continuation of the trial, enrollment into the third cohort could commence in the second half of 2024 contingent on adequate funding.
Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 Financial Results
General and administrative expenses decreased to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease of 45% is primarily comprised of the decrease in employee compensation costs, consulting fees, audit fees, lower director and officer insurance, and a decrease in fair value of the contingent consideration adjustment, offset by increased investor relation costs. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $114,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $106,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2023.
Research and development expenses decreased to $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from approximately $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease of 6% is primarily the result of lower clinical trial expenses related to our VIRAGE Phase 2 clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC and lower expenses related to our Phase 1a clinical trial of SYN-020 which has completed, offset by increased expenses to our Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients. We anticipate research and development expense to increase as we continue enrollment in our VIRAGE Phase 2 clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC, advance our VCN-01 program in retinoblastoma, expand GMP manufacturing activities for VCN-01, and continue supporting our other preclinical and discovery initiatives. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $58,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $40,000 related to stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, we experienced a sustained decline in the quoted market price of our common stock and we deemed this to be a triggering event for impairment. The Company performed an interim impairment analysis using the "Income approach" that requires significant judgments, including primarily the estimation of future development costs, the probability of success in various phases of its development programs, potential post-launch cash flows and a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital. We concluded that the IPR&D was not impaired as of June 30, 2024, however, goodwill with a carrying value of $5.5 million was written down to its estimated fair value of $1.5 million and an impairment charge of $4.0 million was recorded during the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the valuation was primarily driven by an increase in the discount rate which was impacted by an increase in the company specific risk premium, and not by material changes to the clinical and administrative operations of the business.
Other income was $172,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to other income of $377,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 is primarily comprised of interest income of $173,000 and an exchange loss of $1,000. Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2023 is primarily comprised of interest income of $381,000 and exchange loss of $4,000.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $16.6 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $23.2 million as of December 31, 2023.