Fortress Biotech Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Highlights


Total consolidated net revenue was $34.8 million in the third quarter of 2023, a 100% increase from total consolidated net revenue of $17.4 million in the second quarter of 2023

Fortress is advancing several late-stage clinical assets with three potential NDA and BLA submissions to FDA through year-end of 2024 across our portfolio1, including a NDA submission for DFD-29 to treat rosacea, anticipated around year-end of 2023

MIAMI, Nov. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO) (“Fortress”), an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on efficiently acquiring, developing and commercializing or monetizing promising therapeutic products and product candidates, today announced financial results and recent corporate highlights for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “In the third quarter of 2023, Fortress and our partner companies and subsidiaries continued to advance our diverse portfolio of drug candidates. Our total consolidated net revenue this quarter was $34.8 million, which includes an upfront payment of $19 million that Journey Medical received upon entering into an exclusive license agreement with Maruho for commercialization of Qbrexza® in additional territories in Asia. We’re looking forward to multiple significant near-term milestones, including potentially up to four New Drug Application (“NDA”) and Biologics License Application (“BLA”) submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) between 2023 and 2025, one of which is a NDA for DFD-29 to treat rosacea around the end of this year. We are also anticipating the PDUFA goal date of January 3, 2024, for cosibelimab, our investigational anti-PD-L1 antibody, as a treatment for patients with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (“cSCC”).”

Recent Corporate Highlights2:

Marketed Dermatology Products

  • Journey Medical Corporation (Nasdaq: DERM) (“Journey Medical”), our partner company, primarily focuses on selling and marketing of prescription dermatology products.
  • In September 2023, Journey Medical entered into an exclusive license agreement with Maruho Co., Ltd. (“Maruho”), a Japanese company specializing in dermatology as well as Journey’s exclusive licensing partner that developed and is commercializing Qbrexza® (Rapifort®) in Japan. Under the terms of the Agreement, Journey Medical received a $19 million nonrefundable upfront payment and granted Maruho an exclusive license to develop and commercialize Qbrexza (glycopyrronium tosylate hydrate) for the treatment of hyperhidrosis in South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos (the “Territory”). Maruho is responsible for all development and commercialization costs for the program throughout the Territory.
  • Journey Medical’s total net revenues in the third quarter of 2023 were $34.5 million, an increase of $18.4 million, or 114%, compared to total net revenues of $16.1 million in the third quarter of 2022.
  • Journey Medical’s total product net revenues were $15.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to third quarter 2022 total product net revenues of $16.0 million.

Fortress, through its subsidiaries, partner companies and partners, has a broad and diverse pipeline of clinical-stage programs being evaluated in over 20 ongoing clinical trials. We look forward to potential filings of up to four NDA and BLA submissions from 2023 through 2025, including:

  • DFD-29 – modified release oral minocycline for rosacea
  • Cosibelimab – anti-PD-L1 antibody for solid tumors
  • CUTX-101 – copper histidinate for Menkes disease
  • CAEL-101 – light chain fibril-reactive monoclonal antibody for AL amyloidosis

We also expect to continue to advance our early-to-mid-clinical-stage candidates, some of which may begin pivotal trials during the next twelve to eighteen months, including:

  • Dotinurad – urate transporter (URAT1) inhibitor for gout and hyperuricemia
  • IV tramadol – intravenous small molecule for acute post-operative pain
  • MB-106 – CD20-targeted CAR-T cell therapy for hematologic malignancies
  • Triplex – multi-antigen, modified vaccinia Ankara-based (MVA) vaccine for cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • MB-117 – ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy for newborns with XSCID (X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency)
  • MB-217 – ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy for previously transplanted children and young adults with XSCID
  • AJ201 – Nrf1 and Nrf2 activator, androgen receptor degradation enhancer for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy’s Disease
  • BAER-101 – GABAA α2/3 positive allosteric modulator for refractory epilepsies
  • MB-109 – IL13Rα2-targeted CAR-T cell therapy combined with HSV-1 oncolytic virus for recurrent glioblastoma and high-grade astrocytomas

General Corporate:

  • In November 2023, Fortress raised approximately $10.0 million in gross proceeds in a public offering.
  • In October 2023, Fortress effected a 1-for-15 reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding common stock to bring the Company into compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement for continued listing.

Financial Results:

  • As of September 30, 2023, Fortress’ consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $74.7 million, compared to $89.2 million as of June 30, 2023, a decrease of $14.5 million during the quarter.
  • Fortress’ consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, totaling $74.7 million as of September 30, 2023, includes $37.7 million attributable to Fortress and private subsidiaries, $0.2 million attributable to Avenue, $1.8 million attributable to Checkpoint, $10.3 million attributable to Mustang Bio and $24.7 million attributable to Journey Medical.
  • Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, in November 2023, Fortress raised approximately $10.0 million in gross proceeds in a public offering and Avenue raised approximately $5.0 million in gross proceeds in a public offering. In addition, in October 2023, Checkpoint raised approximately $11.1 million in gross proceeds from the exercise of warrants and Mustang Bio raised approximately $4.4 million in gross proceeds in a registered direct offering.
  • Fortress’ consolidated net revenue totaled $34.8 million for the third quarter of 2023, which included $15.3 million in net product revenue generated from our marketed dermatology products. This compares to consolidated net revenue totaling $16.5 million for the third quarter of 2022, which included $16.0 million in net product revenue generated from our marketed dermatology products.
  • Consolidated research and development expenses including license acquisitions were $20.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $29.9 million for the third quarter of 2022.
  • Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $21.7 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $30.1 million for the third quarter of 2022.
  • Consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders was $7.1 million, or $0.94 per share, for the third quarter of 2023, compared to consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders of $24.5 million, or $4.11 per share for the third quarter of 2022.

About Fortress Biotech
Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”) is an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on efficiently acquiring, developing and commercializing or monetizing promising therapeutic products and product candidates. The company has eight marketed prescription pharmaceutical products and over 25 programs in development at Fortress, at its majority-owned and majority-controlled partners and subsidiaries and at partners and subsidiaries it founded and in which it holds significant minority ownership positions. Such product candidates span six large-market areas, including oncology, rare diseases and gene therapy, which allow it to create value for shareholders. Fortress advances its diversified pipeline through a streamlined operating structure that fosters efficient drug development. The Fortress model is focused on leveraging its significant biopharmaceutical industry expertise and network to further expand the company’s portfolio of product opportunities. Fortress has established partnerships with some of the world’s leading academic research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies to maximize each opportunity to its full potential, including AstraZeneca, City of Hope, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Sentynl. For more information, visit www.fortressbiotech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As used below and throughout this press release, the words “we”, “us” and “our” may refer to Fortress individually or together with one or more partner companies, as dictated by context. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs, ability to generate shareholder value, ability of our products to receive necessary approvals, including FDA approval, ability of our products and therapies to help patients and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include, risks relating to: our growth strategy; financing and strategic agreements and relationships; our need for substantial additional funds and uncertainty relating to financings; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates successfully and on a timely basis; our ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; the results of research and development activities; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; risks relating to the timing of starting and completing clinical trials; the ability to secure and maintain third-party manufacturing, marketing and distribution of our and our partner companies’ products and product candidates; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as may be required by law, and we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The information contained herein is intended to be reviewed in its totality, and any stipulations, conditions or provisos that apply to a given piece of information in one part of this press release should be read as applying mutatis mutandis to every other instance of such information appearing herein.

Company Contact:
Jaclyn Jaffe
Fortress Biotech, Inc.
(781) 652-4500
ir@fortressbiotech.com

Media Relations Contact:
Tony Plohoros
6 Degrees
(908) 591-2839
tplohoros@6degreespr.com  

FORTRESS BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands except for share and per share amounts)

 September 30,  December 31, 
 2023 2022
     
ASSETS     
Current assets     
Cash and cash equivalents$72,307  $178,266 
Accounts receivable, net 7,989   28,208 
Inventory 11,024   14,159 
Other receivables - related party 165   138 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,341   9,661 
Total current assets 97,826   230,432 
      
Property, plant and equipment, net 6,854   13,020 
Operating lease right-of-use asset, net 17,507   19,991 
Restricted cash 2,438   2,688 
Intangible asset, net 21,102   27,197 
Other assets 4,822   973 
Total assets$ 150,549  $ 294,301 
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)     
Current liabilities     
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$81,406  $97,446 
Income taxes payable 84    
Common stock warrant liabilities 5,430   13,869 
Operating lease liabilities, short-term 2,413   2,447 
Partner company convertible preferred shares, short-term, net 3,797   2,052 
Partner company line of credit    2,948 
Partner company installment payments - licenses, short-term, net 3,000   7,235 
Other short-term liabilities 1,221   1,718 
Total current liabilities 97,351   127,715 
      
Notes payable, long-term, net 45,791   91,730 
Operating lease liabilities, long-term 18,944   21,572 
Partner company installment payments - licenses, long-term, net    1,412 
Other long-term liabilities 1,706   1,847 
Total liabilities  163,792    244,276 
      
Commitments and contingencies      
      
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)     
Cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 15,000,000 authorized, 5,000,000 designated Series A shares, 3,427,138 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, liquidation value of $25.00 per share 3   3 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 8,937,587 and 7,366,283 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively 9   7 
Additional paid-in-capital 702,253   675,944 
Accumulated deficit (685,591)  (634,233)
Total stockholders' equity attributed to the Company 16,674   41,721 
      
Non-controlling interests (29,917)  8,304 
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (13,243)  50,025 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)$ 150,549  $ 294,301 
        

FORTRESS BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
($ in thousands except for share and per share amounts)

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2023 2022 2023 2022
Revenue           
Product revenue, net$15,279  $16,043  $44,405  $55,074 
Collaboration revenue 182   364   546   1,518 
Revenue - related party 31   48   97   118 
Other revenue 19,260   73   19,519   2,629 
Net revenue 34,752   16,528   64,567   59,339 
            
Operating expenses           
Cost of goods sold - product revenue 6,429   7,221   20,645   23,057 
Research and development 20,288   29,855   87,702   99,707 
Research and development - licenses acquired 60   47   4,293   48 
Selling, general and administrative 21,733   30,139   71,512   85,457 
Asset impairment       3,143    
Total operating expenses 48,510   67,262   187,295   208,269 
Loss from operations (13,758)  (50,734)  (122,728)  (148,930)
            
Other income (expense)           
Interest income 547   419   2,296   711 
Interest expense and financing fee (2,534)  (3,393)  (13,255)  (8,897)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities 4,542      10,708    
Other income 620   648   (2,049)  648 
Total other income (expense) 3,175   (2,326)  (2,300)  (7,538)
Loss before income tax expense (10,583)  (53,060)  (125,028)  (156,468)
            
Income tax expense 141      142    
Net loss  (10,724)   (53,060)   (125,170)   (156,468)
            
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests 5,679   30,549   73,812   96,841 
Net loss attributable to Fortress  (5,045)   (22,511)   (51,358)   (59,627)
            
Preferred A dividends declared and paid (2,008)  (2,008)  (6,024)  (6,024)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (7,053) $ (24,519) $ (57,382) $ (65,651)
            
Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted$(0.94) $(4.11) $(7.94) $(11.15)
            
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 7,498,653   5,961,663   7,231,004   5,886,131 

_______________
1 Includes CAEL-101, an asset in development at Caelum Biosciences (a former subsidiary now 100% owned by AstraZeneca’s Alexion) with respect to which Fortress remains eligible to receive substantial milestone payments.
2 The development programs depicted in this press release include product candidates in development at Fortress, at Fortress’ private subsidiaries (referred to herein as “subsidiaries”), at Fortress’ public subsidiaries (referred to herein as “partner companies”) and at entities with which one of the foregoing parties has a significant business relationship, such as an exclusive license or an ongoing product-related payment obligation (such entities referred to herein as “partners”). The words “we”, “us” and “our” may refer to Fortress individually, to one or more of our subsidiaries and/or partner companies, or to all such entities as a group, as dictated by context.