IRVINE, Calif., May 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RPHM), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for patients with rare genetic, mitochondrial diseases, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
“During the first quarter of 2022, we continued to make good progress across our REN001 programs,” said Gregory J. Flesher, President and CEO of Reneo Pharmaceuticals. “The STRIDE study, our ongoing Phase 2b clinical trial in primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMM), is enrolling well with 50% of the target enrollment now complete. In addition, all patients have completed the Phase 1b clinical trial and the FORWARD natural history study in long-chain-fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD), and we anticipate sharing the results of both studies in July 2022. Furthermore, we added rare disease drug development and commercialization expertise to our Board of Directors, as well as made changes to the executive leadership team in order to support our planned growth over the coming years,” concluded Mr. Flesher.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
The Company reported a net loss of $13.0 million, or $0.53 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to a net loss of $7.2 million, or $3.48 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company had $138.7 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2022.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $9.3 million, compared to $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This increase of $3.8 million was primarily due to an increase of $2.2 million related to clinical trial and manufacturing costs associated with the launch of our STRIDE and FORWARD studies as well as our Phase 1b clinical trials of LC-FAOD. In addition, there was a $0.8 million increase in non-clinical activities and a $0.8 million increase in personnel-related costs due to the additional headcount required to support our clinical and CMC operations.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $3.7 million, compared to $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. This increase of $2.0 million was primarily attributable to increased costs to operate as a public company, including increases in outside professional services of $0.7 million, personnel-related expenses of $0.6 million, and insurance premiums of $0.3 million.
First Quarter Highlights
- Enrolled the 100th patient into the STRIDE study
- Completed all patient visits in the Phase 1b and FORWARD natural history studies in LC-FAOD
- Appointed Paul W. Hoelscher, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Horizon Therapeutics plc to the Board of Directors
- Appointed Michael P. Cruse as Chief Operating Officer and Jennifer P. Lam as Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
Anticipated Milestones
- Results of the Phase 1b clinical trial in LC-FAOD (July 2022)
- Results of the FORWARD natural history study in LC-FAOD (July 2022)
- Completion of enrollment in the STRIDE study (year-end 2022)
Corporate Access Events
- H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference, May 23-26, 2022
- Jefferies Healthcare Conference, June 8-10, 2022
About Reneo Pharmaceuticals
Reneo is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for patients with rare genetic mitochondrial diseases, which are often associated with the inability of mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Our lead product candidate, REN001, is a potent and selective agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ). REN001 has been shown to increase transcription of genes involved in mitochondrial function and increase fatty acid oxidation, and may increase the production of new mitochondria.
About REN001
REN001 is a potent and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonist currently in clinical development for two rare genetic mitochondrial diseases that typically present with myopathy and have high unmet medical needs: primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMM) and long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD). For more information on REN001 clinical trials, please see clinicaltrials.gov.
About PMM
PMM are a group of disorders caused by genetic mutations within the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that affect the activity of enzymes or other proteins in the mitochondria. In PMM these genetic alterations hamper the ability of mitochondria to generate energy from nutrient sources, resulting in energy deficits that are most pronounced in tissues with high energy demand, such as muscle, brain, and heart. The symptoms of PMM include muscle weakness or exercise intolerance, movement disorder, deafness, blindness, and droopy eyelids among others. The prognosis for these disorders ranges in severity from progressive weakness to death.
About STRIDE
STRIDE is a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of 100 mg REN001 administered orally once daily to patients with PMM. Approximately 200 adult PMM patients with alterations in mitochondrial DNA and a history of myopathy are expected to be enrolled into STRIDE. The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial is the change from baseline in the distance walked during a 12-minute walk test (12MWT) after 24 weeks of treatment. Secondary efficacy endpoints include safety, and patient reported outcomes, including changes from baseline in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS); Patient Global Impression of Change scale (PGIC); and other patient-reported outcomes.
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. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the results, conduct, progress and timing of Reneo’s clinical trials, presentation of data from clinical trials, the regulatory approval path for REN001, intellectual property protection matters, the strength of Reneo’s balance sheet and the adequacy of cash on hand. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “plans,” “will,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “goal,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Reneo’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Reneo’s business in general, and the other risks described in Reneo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Reneo undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.
RENEO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and par value data)
| As of March 31, 2022 | As of December 31, 2021 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 121,094 | $ | 124,660 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 17,568 | 23,010 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,053 | 6,064 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 142,715 | 153,734 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 237 | 212 | ||||||
| Right-of-use assets | 1,382 | — | ||||||
| Other non-current assets | 78 | 78 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 144,412 | $ | 154,024 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,566 | $ | 2,022 | ||||
| Accrued expenses | 5,887 | 4,180 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current portion | 457 | — | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 7,910 | 6,202 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, less current portion | 1,127 | — | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | — | 167 | ||||||
| Performance award | 57 | 444 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 9,094 | 6,813 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021; 24,458,550 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022; and 24,457,838 and 24,455,390 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021, respectively | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 233,015 | 231,902 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (97,764 | ) | (84,728 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 64 | 34 | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 135,318 | 147,211 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 144,412 | $ | 154,024 | ||||
RENEO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 9,278 | $ | 5,472 | ||||
| General and administrative | 3,737 | 1,742 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 13,015 | 7,214 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (13,015 | ) | (7,214 | ) | ||||
| Other (loss) income | (21 | ) | 2 | |||||
| Net loss | (13,036 | ) | (7,212 | ) | ||||
| Unrealized gain on short-term investments | 30 | — | ||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (13,006 | ) | $ | (7,212 | ) | ||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (3.48 | ) | ||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted | 24,458,290 | 2,070,935 | ||||||
RENEO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (13,036 | ) | $ | (7,212 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,107 | 471 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 19 | 10 | ||||||
| Amortization/accretion on short-term investments | 1 | — | ||||||
| Changes in the fair value of performance award | (387 | ) | — | |||||
| Non-cash lease expense | 143 | — | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 1,251 | (927 | ) | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 2,011 | (929 | ) | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (108 | ) | — | |||||
| Other current and long-term liabilities | — | (2 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (8,999 | ) | (8,589 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (44 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of available-for-sale short-term investments | (16,029 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale short-term investments | 21,500 | — | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 5,427 | (25 | ) | |||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs | — | 47,258 | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock pursuant to equity award plans | 6 | 187 | ||||||
| Costs paid in connection with initial public offering | — | (1,223 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 6 | 46,222 | ||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (3,566 | ) | 37,608 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 124,660 | 53,613 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 121,094 | $ | 91,221 | ||||
| Noncash operating activities: | ||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations | $ | 1,524 | $ | — | ||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Property and equipment in accounts payable | $ | — | $ | 2 | ||||
| Unpaid Series B convertible preferred stock issuance costs | $ | — | $ | 19 | ||||
| Accrued deferred initial public offering costs | $ | — | $ | 361 | ||||
Contacts:
Joyce Allaire
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
jallaire@lifesciadvisors.com
Gregory J. Flesher
Chief Executive Officer
Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
investors@reneopharma.com
