LEXINGTON, Mass., March 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keros Therapeutics, Inc. (“Keros” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from hematological and musculoskeletal disorders with high unmet medical need, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.
“I am exceptionally proud of the Keros team's performance in 2021, as we advanced all aspects of our business, including securing a strategic partnership with Hansoh for KER-050 in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau,” said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our momentum is accelerating, as we reported positive initial data from our open-label Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-050 in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (“MDS”). I am confident that our financial strength, dedicated workforce and proven ability to execute will enable us to continue to advance our pipeline and position the company to execute against our key milestones in 2022.”
Recent Corporate Highlights:
- Entered into license agreement and strategic partnership for rights to KER-050 in China: Entered into a license agreement with Hansoh (Shanghai) Healthtech Company Limited (“Hansoh”), whereby Hansoh will obtain an exclusive license from Keros to develop, manufacture and commercialize KER-050 within the territories of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. In exchange, Keros received an upfront net payment of $18.0 million in January 2022, extending expected cash runway into the first quarter of 2024. Keros is also eligible to receive up to an additional $170.5 million in development and commercial milestones, plus tiered royalties on net product sales ranging from the low double digit to high teens.
- Strengthened leadership with key appointment: In February 2022, Keros appointed Christopher Rovaldi as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Keros, Mr. Rovaldi served as a consultant to biotechnology companies. Prior to that, he held multiple positions of increasing responsibility at Acceleron Pharma Inc., including his most recent role there as Senior Vice President, Program Management and Operations. Mr. Rovaldi has over 20 years of program and portfolio management experience.
Recent Program Highlights:
- KER-050 for the treatment of ineffective hematopoiesis to address cytopenias
- In December 2021, the Company commenced its open label, two-part, multiple ascending dose Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate KER-050 as a monotherapy and in combination with ruxolitinib in participants with myelofibrosis-associated cytopenias.
- KER-012 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss
- The Company has completed dosing of Part 1 of its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-part Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate single and multiple ascending doses of KER-012 in healthy volunteers.
Selected Anticipated 2022 Corporate Milestones:
- Keros expects to report additional data from the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-050 in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes in mid-2022
- Keros expects to report initial data from the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-050 in patients with myelofibrosis by the end of 2022
- Keros expects to initiate two Phase 2 clinical trials of KER-047, one in patients with iron deficiency anemia and one in patients with iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia, in the first half of 2022, and report initial data from both trials by the end of 2022
- Keros expects to report initial data from Part 1 of the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of KER-012 in healthy volunteers in the second quarter of 2022 and additional data from Part 2 of this trial in the second half of 2022
2021 Financial Results
Keros reported a net loss of $6.9 million for the fourth quarter and $58.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to a net loss of $10.7 million for the fourth quarter and $45.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in net loss for the fourth quarter and the increase in net loss for the year was largely due to the upfront payment from the Company's license agreement with Hansoh in the fourth quarter of 2021, offset by increased research and development efforts, including the progression of the Company's two Phase 2 clinical trials in KER-050, one in patients with MDS and one in patients with myelofibrosis, and the manufacturing and commencement of its Phase 1 clinical trial activities for KER-012, as well as an increase in the infrastructure to support operations and expansion of its programs.
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $20.1 million. The revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was zero. The revenue in the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to the license agreement Keros entered into with Hansoh.
Research and development expenses were $18.8 million for the fourth quarter and $55.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $9.7 million for the fourth quarter and $33.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in research and development expenses for the fourth quarter and the year was driven by the continued advancement of the Company's pipeline, notably the progression of its two Phase 2 clinical trials of KER-050 and the commencement of its Phase 1 clinical trial activities for KER-012, as well as an increase in the infrastructure to support operations and expansion of its programs.
General and administrative expenses were $6.0 million for the fourth quarter and $21.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $3.6 million and $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in personnel expenses to support Keros' organizational growth, additional share-based compensation costs, and an increase in professional fees primarily attributable to legal expenses related to data privacy law compliance and the maintenance and expansion of the Company's intellectual property portfolio.
Keros’ cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021 was $230.0 million compared to $265.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Keros expects that the cash and cash equivalents it had on hand at December 31, 2021, along with the net $18.0 million upfront payment pursuant to the license agreement with Hansoh, which the Company received in January 2022, will fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the first quarter of 2024.
About Keros Therapeutics, Inc.
Keros is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from hematologic and musculoskeletal disorders with high unmet medical need. Keros is a leader in understanding the role of the transforming growth factor-beta family of proteins, which are master regulators of red blood cell and platelet production as well as of the growth, repair and maintenance of muscle and bone. Keros’ lead protein therapeutic product candidate, KER-050, is being developed for the treatment of low blood cell counts, or cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with MDS and in patients with myelofibrosis. Keros’ lead small molecule product candidate, KER-047, is being developed for the treatment of anemia resulting from iron imbalance. Keros’ third product candidate, KER-012, is being developed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss, such as osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," “plans,” “potential,” "projects,” “would” and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: Keros’ expectations regarding its growth, strategy, progress and timing of its clinical trials for KER-050, KER-047 and KER-012, including its regulatory plans; the potential impact of COVID-19 on Keros’ ongoing and planned preclinical studies, clinical trials, business and operations; and Keros’ expected cash runway. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Keros’ limited operating history and historical losses; Keros’ ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Keros’ dependence on the success of its lead product candidates, KER-050 and KER-047; that Keros may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Keros’ ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; Keros’ dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and pre-clinical studies; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises.
These and other risks are described more fully in Keros’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on November 4, 2021, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Keros undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Investor Contact:
Mike Biega
mbiega@soleburytrout.com
617-921-9660
KEROS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
| THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, | YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| REVENUE: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research collaboration revenue | $ | 20,000 | $ | — | $ | 20,100 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Total revenue | 20,000 | — | 20,100 | — | ||||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | (18,834 | ) | (9,674 | ) | (55,143 | ) | (33,860 | ) | ||||||||
| General and administrative | (6,033 | ) | (3,617 | ) | (21,330 | ) | (12,797 | ) | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (24,867 | ) | (13,291 | ) | (76,473 | ) | (46,657 | ) | ||||||||
| LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (4,867 | ) | (13,291 | ) | (56,373 | ) | (46,657 | ) | ||||||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET: | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | (4 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||||
| Research and development incentive income | — | 2,460 | — | 2,460 | ||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of preferred stock tranche obligation | — | — | — | (1,490 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | (74 | ) | 156 | (356 | ) | 160 | ||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | (75 | ) | 2,615 | (360 | ) | 1,124 | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (4,942 | ) | (10,676 | ) | (56,733 | ) | (45,533 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax (provision) benefit | (1,998 | ) | — | (2,011 | ) | 172 | ||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (6,940 | ) | $ | (10,676 | ) | $ | (58,744 | ) | $ | (45,361 | ) | ||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted | $ | (6,940 | ) | $ | (10,676 | ) | $ | (58,744 | ) | $ | (45,361 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted | $ | (0.30 | ) | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (2.52 | ) | $ | (2.93 | ) | ||||
| Weighted-average common stock outstanding—basic and diluted | 23,435,383 | 21,623,123 | 23,333,914 | 15,506,397 | ||||||||||||
KEROS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
| DECEMBER 31, | |||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 230,042 | $ | 265,876 | |||
| Accounts receivable | 18,000 | — | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,398 | 1,850 | |||||
| Total current assets | 251,440 | 267,726 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 1,067 | 878 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 1,335 | 724 | |||||
| Restricted cash | 1,327 | 115 | |||||
| Other long term asset | 82 | — | |||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 255,251 | $ | 269,443 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 3,645 | $ | 2,149 | |||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 862 | 423 | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 7,339 | 4,612 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 11,846 | 7,184 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | 231 | 476 | |||||
| Other liabilities | — | 62 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 12,077 | 7,722 | |||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT: | |||||||
| Common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share; 200,000,000 authorized, 23,974,834 and 23,192,866 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 366,927 | 326,730 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (123,755 | ) | (65,011 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 243,174 | 261,721 | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 255,251 | $ | 269,443 | |||
