Awarded $17.6 million Product Development Research grant by the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to fund 186RNL development for leptomeningeal metastases (LM)
Completed cGMP manufacturing objectives to support Phase 2 clinical trials for 186RNL
Initiating ReSPECT-GBM Phase 2 trial for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) in Q4 2022
Management to host conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTV) (the “Company”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative, targeted radiotherapeutics for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022, and provided an overview of recent business highlights.
“The third quarter of 2022 was another period of significant progress for Plus Therapeutics, highlighted by the achievement of three key milestones,” said Marc H. Hedrick M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Plus Therapeutics. “First, our CPRIT award of $17.6 million substantially funds the LM program through Phase 2 for our lead investigational drug, Rhenium-186 Nanoliposome (186RNL). Second, we moved 186RNL toward a Phase 2 trial for recurrent GBM, which we expect to initiate in the fourth quarter of 2022. Third, we met our timeline for cGMP 186RNL drug availability for all future trials. In addition, the combination of current cash, committed grant funding in conjunction with existing discretionary capital sources, secures our cash runway through 2025.”
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
- On September 9, 2022, Dr. Andrew Brenner, ReSPECT-GBM trial principal investigator, presented Phase 1 results from the ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1/2a dose escalation trial evaluating 186RNL in patients with recurrent GBM at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022. The Phase 1 results demonstrated safety and a potential efficacy signal in heavily pretreated patients with recurrent GBM.
- On August 17, 2022, Plus Therapeutics announced the award of a three-year, $17.6 million Product Development Research grant by the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to fund 186RNL for the treatment of patients with LM.
- On August 29, 2022, Plus announced a summary of its Type C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the CMC program for 186RNL. The Company determined that it may proceed in utilizing its 186RNL in its planned Phase 2 programs.
- On September 6, 2022, Plus announced a summary of its Type C meeting with the FDA regarding its clinical development program for 186RNL for recurrent GBM. Based on that meeting, the Company plans to begin a Phase 2 trial of 186RNL in patients with recurrent GBM, with a focus on small and medium-sized tumors. The Company will also continue exploration of both higher and multiple doses of 186RNL.
- The Company initiated enrollment of Cohort 2 of the ReSPECT-LM Phase 1/2a dose escalation trial of 186RNL in patients with LM.
- On October 18, 2022, at the 35th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the Company presented data from two ongoing clinical trials evaluating 186RNL in recurrent GBM and LM. The findings presented at EANM indicate the potential for 186RNL as a safe, well-tolerated and promising radiotherapeutic for both GBM and LM.
THIRD QUARTER 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS
- The Company’s cash balance was $20.3 million at September 30, 2022, compared to $18.4 million at December 31, 2021. The Company believes that the current cash on hand, anticipated funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and CPRIT and existing discretionary capital sources are sufficient to fund both its currently planned overhead and development expenses through 2025.
- Grant revenue of $73,000 was recognized in the third quarter of 2022, which represents CPRIT’s initial share of the costs incurred for development of 186RNL for the treatment of patients with LM. The Company expects the first CPRIT grant funds of approximately $1.9 million to be disbursed to the Company by October 31, 2022.
- Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were $5.2 million, compared to total operating expenses of $3.5 million for the third quarter of 2021. The increase is due primarily to incremental CMC spend, now winding down, related to the development of GMP 186RNL drug and key regulatory consulting activities. In addition, to a lesser extent, the Company had a forecasted increase in litigation, legal, professional fees and other general corporate expenses.
- Net loss for the third quarter of 2022 was $5.2 million, or $(0.19) per share, compared to a net loss of $3.7 million, or $(0.28) per share, for the third quarter of 2021.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MILESTONES
During the remainder of 2022, the Company expects to accomplish the following key business objectives:
- ReSPECT-GBM Phase 2 clinical trial initiation
- Present updated data from the ReSPECT-GBM and ReSPECT-LM trials at the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting and Education Day, November 17-20, 2022
- Complete Cohort 2 of ReSPECT-LM Phase 1/2a dose escalation trial
- Submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA for the study of 186RNL in patients with pediatric brain cancer (ReSPECT-PBC), ependymoma and high-grade glioma
- Complete certain key CMC and IND-enabling studies for 188RNL-BAM
Third Quarter 2022 Results Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call and live audio webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss its financial results and provide a general business update.
A live webcast will be available at ir.plustherapeutics.com/events.
Participants may also pre-register any time before the call here. Once registration is completed, participants will be provided a dial-in number with a personalized conference code to access the call. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the start time.
Following the live call, a replay will be available on the Company’s website under the 'For Investor' section. The webcast will be available on the Company’s website for 90 days following the live call.
About Plus Therapeutics
Plus Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of complex and innovative treatments for patients battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Our proprietary nanotechnology platform is currently centered around the enhanced delivery of a variety of drugs using novel liposomal encapsulation technology. Liposomal encapsulation has been extensively explored and undergone significant technical and commercial advances since it was first developed. Our platform is designed to facilitate new delivery approaches and/or formulations of safe and effective, injectable drugs, potentially enhancing the safety, efficacy and convenience for patients and healthcare providers. More information may be found at PlusTherapeutics.com and ReSPECT-Trials.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by future verbs, as well as terms such as “designed to,” “will,” “can,” “potential,” “focus,” “preparing,” “next steps,” “possibly,” and similar expressions or the negatives thereof. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the following: the potential promise of 186RNL including the ability of 186RNL to safely and effectively deliver radiation directly to the tumor at high doses; expectations as to the Company’s future performance including the next steps in developing the Company’s current assets; the Company’s clinical trials including statements regarding the timing and characteristics of the ReSPECT-GBM and ReSPECT-LM clinical trials; possible negative effects of 186RNL; the continued evaluation of 186RNL including through evaluations in additional patient cohorts; and the intended functions of the Company’s platform and expected benefits from such functions.
The forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the Company’s actual results may differ, including materially, from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the early stage of the Company’s product candidates and therapies, the results of the Company’s research and development activities, including uncertainties relating to the clinical trials of its product candidates and therapies; the Company’s liquidity and capital resources and its ability to raise additional cash, the outcome of the Company’s partnering/licensing efforts, risks associated with laws or regulatory requirements applicable to it, market conditions, product performance, litigation or potential litigation, and competition within the cancer diagnostics and therapeutics field, among others; and additional risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports. There may be events in the future that the Company is unable to predict, or over which it has no control, and its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may change in the future. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made unless the Company has an obligation under U.S. federal securities laws to do so.
| PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands, except share and par value data) | ||||||||
| September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 20,266 | $ | 18,400 | ||||
| Grant receivable | 73 | — | ||||||
| Other current assets | 540 | 1,324 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 20,879 | 19,724 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 1,453 | 1,477 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-use-of assets | 275 | 341 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 372 | 372 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 113 | 51 | ||||||
| Other assets | 12 | 16 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,104 | $ | 21,981 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 5,705 | $ | 4,151 | ||||
| Operating lease liability | 107 | 111 | ||||||
| Term loan obligation, current | 1,608 | 1,608 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 7,420 | 5,870 | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liability | 172 | 269 | ||||||
| Term loan obligation | 4,108 | 5,005 | ||||||
| Warrant liability | — | 1 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 11,700 | 11,145 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,952 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 32,570,002 and 15,510,025 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | 32 | 16 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 472,899 | 457,730 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (461,527 | ) | (446,910 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 11,404 | 10,836 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 23,104 | $ | 21,981 | ||||
| PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Grant revenue: | $ | 73 | $ | — | $ | 73 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 2,945 | 1,491 | 7,560 | 3,724 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 2,222 | 1,990 | 6,653 | 4,811 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | — | 18 | — | 18 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 5,167 | 3,499 | 14,213 | 8,553 | ||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (5,094 | ) | (3,499 | ) | (14,140 | ) | (8,553 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 48 | 5 | 74 | 13 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (173 | ) | (232 | ) | (552 | ) | (708 | ) | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of liability instruments | — | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Total other expense | (125 | ) | (225 | ) | (477 | ) | (691 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (5,219 | ) | $ | (3,724 | ) | $ | (14,617 | ) | $ | (9,244 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.19 | ) | $ | (0.28 | ) | $ | (0.61 | ) | $ | (0.84 | ) | ||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per share attributable to common stockholders | 27,441,654 | 13,264,230 | 23,789,195 | 10,961,284 | ||||||||||||
| PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands) | ||||||||
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (14,617 | ) | $ | (9,244 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 460 | 266 | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount | 309 | 417 | ||||||
| In process research and development acquired | — | 18 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of liability instruments | (1 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 476 | 425 | ||||||
| Non-cash lease expense | (35 | ) | 36 | |||||
| Increases in cash caused by changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Grant receivable | 73 | — | ||||||
| Other current assets | 642 | 12 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 1,955 | 418 | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (10,738 | ) | (7,656 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (381 | ) | (134 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of intangible assets | (117 | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | — | 50 | ||||||
| In process research and development acquired | (250 | ) | — | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (748 | ) | (84 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Principal payments of long-term obligations | (1,206 | ) | — | |||||
| Payment of financing lease liability | — | (8 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | — | 2,017 | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of common stock, net | 14,558 | 18,665 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 13,352 | 20,674 | ||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 1,866 | 12,934 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 18,400 | 8,346 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 20,266 | $ | 21,280 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid during period for: | ||||||||
| Interest | $ | 248 | $ | 292 | ||||
| Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Unpaid offering cost | $ | 68 | $ | 139 | ||||
| Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for lease liabilities | $ | — | $ | 81 | ||||
Investor Contact
Peter Vozzo
ICR Westwicke
(443) 377-4767
Peter.Vozzo@westwicke.com
Media Contact
Terri Clevenger
ICR Westwicke
(203) 856-4326
Terri.Clevenger@westwicke.com
