AGS-003 Phase 2 Long-Term Survival Data Update to be presented at ASCO
AGS-004 Phase 2 HIV Eradication Trial in Adults Initiated
Conference Call and Webcast Today, May 13th, at 4:30 p.m. ET
DURHAM, N.C., May 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Argos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARGS), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of fully personalized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases using its Arcelis™ technology platform, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014, and provided an update on the Company's clinical programs.
"We are looking forward to our upcoming clinical data presentations," said Jeff Abbey, president and chief executive officer, "while we continue to make progress with the enrollment of patients in our pivotal phase 3 ADAPT trial of AGS-003, our lead oncology product candidate, in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Updated long-term survival data from our completed phase 2 trial of AGS-003 in mRCC will be presented during the upcoming ASCO annual meeting. In addition, we expect to share topline data from our phase 2b proof-of-concept clinical trial of AGS-004 in patients chronically infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in the coming months."
Mr. Abbey continued, "We are pleased with the continued momentum of our clinical programs, beginning with the recent initiation of a phase 2 study of AGS-004 for the eradication of HIV in adult patients. Later in the year, we expect to initiate a second phase 2 study of AGS-004 aimed at eliminating the need for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pediatric patients, as well as multiple phase 2 studies of AGS-003 in early stage RCC, non-clear cell mRCC, and other solid tumors."
Recent Highlights and 2014 Anticipated Milestones
AGS-003 Program
AGS-004 Program
Selected First Quarter 2014 Financial Results
Revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 was $0.8 million, compared to revenue of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2013. Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $10.9 million, or $1.05 per share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to a net loss of $4.5 million, or $19.91 per share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 were $8.5 million compared to $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2013. General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 were $1.9 million, compared to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2013.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $83.4 million at March 31, 2014 compared to $47.0 million at December 31, 2013.
Financial Highlights
The Company raised net proceeds of approximately $43.4 million in February 2014 from the sale of 6.2 million shares of common stock. The Company expects that its existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, including anticipated funding under the NIH contract, will enable it to fund operating expenses into the second half of 2016. The Company intends to devote its cash, cash equivalents and short term investments to fund its pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of AGS-003 through data, to fund its planned phase 2 clinical trials of AGS-003 in non-clear cell mRCC, early stage RCC prior to and following nephrectomy and other solid tumors, to fund certain of the costs of the two planned phase 2 clinical trials of AGS-004, one for HIV eradication and one for long-term viral control in pediatric patients, and to initiate, but not complete, the planned leasing, build-out and equipping of a new commercial manufacturing facility and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Argos executive management will host a conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss these results and to answer questions.
To participate by telephone, please dial (855) 433-0930 (Domestic) or (484) 756-4271 (International). The conference ID number is 34954627. A live and archived audio webcast can be accessed through the Investors section of the Company's website at www.argostherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will remain available on the Company's website for fourteen (14) days following the call.
About the Arcelis™ Technology Platform
Arcelis is a fully personalized immunotherapy technology that captures mutated and variant antigens that are specific to each patient's disease. It is designed to overcome immunosuppression by producing a durable memory T cell response without adjuvants that may be associated with toxicity. The technology is potentially applicable to a wide range of different cancers and infectious diseases and is designed to overcome many of the manufacturing and commercialization challenges that have impeded other personalized immunotherapies.
The Arcelis process uses only a small tumor or blood sample and the patient's own dendritic cells, which are collected and optimized following a single leukapheresis procedure. The proprietary process uses RNA isolated from the patient's disease sample to program dendritic cells to target disease antigens. The activated, antigen-loaded dendritic cells are then formulated into the patient's plasma and administered via intradermal injection.
About Argos Therapeutics
Argos Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of fully personalized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases using its Arcelis™ technology platform. Argos' most advanced product candidate, AGS-003, is being evaluated in the pivotal ADAPT Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The company is also developing AGS-004, a personalized immunotherapy for the treatment of HIV, and expects to report data from a Phase 2b trial in mid-2014. For more information about Argos Therapeutics, visit www.argostherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about the Company's future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements about the Company and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including whether the Company's cash resources will be sufficient to fund our continuing operations for the period anticipated; whether results obtained in clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether AGS-003 and AGS-004 will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if either of these product candidates obtains approval, it will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K which is on file with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of May 13, 2014. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to May 13, 2014.
ARGOS THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||
Three Months Ended | ||
March 31, | ||
2013 | 2014 | |
Revenue | $ 1,461,687 | $ 798,788 |
Operating expenses | ||
Research and development | 5,189,461 | 8,472,195 |
General and administrative | 1,078,357 | 1,933,476 |
Total operating expenses | 6,267,818 | 10,405,671 |
Operating loss |
(4,806,131) | (9,606,883) |
Other income (expense), net | 356,929 | (394,097) |
Net loss |
(4,449,202) | (10,000,980) |
Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock |
(64,940) | (863,226) |
Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
$ (4,514,142) | $ (10,864,206) |
Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share, basic and diluted |
$ (19.91) | $ (1.05) |
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
226,757 | 10,376,561 |
ARGOS THERAPEUTICS, INC. | |||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|||
December 31, | March 31, | ||
2013 | 2014 | ||
Assets | |||
Current assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 33,297,970 | $ 51,772,896 | |
Short-term investments | 13,659,812 | 31,611,259 | |
Other current assets | 2,570,860 | 1,381,773 | |
Total current assets | 49,528,642 | 84,765,928 | |
Property and equipment, net | 1,602,103 | 1,709,786 | |
Other assets | 550 | 550 | |
Total assets | $ 51,131,295 | $ 86,476,264 | |
Liabilities, Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity | |||
Current liabilities | |||
Accounts payable | $ 1,317,072 | $ 2,971,551 | |
Accrued expenses | 1,800,794 | 1,315,347 | |
Current portion of notes payable | 45,447 | 45,806 | |
Total current liabilities | 3,163,313 | 4,332,704 | |
Long-term portion of notes payable | 7,014,106 | 7,175,709 | |
Deferred liability | 3,066,000 | 3,066,000 | |
Redeemable convertible preferred stock | 113,664,469 | — | |
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity | (75,776,593) | 71,901,851 | |
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' (deficit) equity | $ 51,131,295 | $ 86,476,264 | |