NEW YORK, March 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APLT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.
“This past year was a transformative time for Applied Therapeutics. In addition to our transition to a public company, we completed two additional financings, and made significant progress in our clinical development programs in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Galactosemia – both devastating diseases with no treatment options available,” said Shoshana Shendelman, Ph.D., Founder, CEO and Chair of the Board of Applied Therapeutics. “With positive results from our pivotal Phase 2 ACTION-Galactosemia study in hand, we plan to move quickly towards regulatory filing, while preparing for Galactosemia commercial launch and growing our organization. On our Diabetic Cardiomyopathy program, we remain on track to fully enroll our Phase 3 registrational study this year, as we continue to advance this potential blockbuster opportunity. Throughout 2020 we’ll continue to move additional candidates into the clinic, while expanding our pipeline – delivering on our core strategy of applying technological advances to high unmet need indications.”
Recent Highlights
- Closed $143.4 Million Underwritten Public Offering. In January 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of common stock at a price to the public of $45.50 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $143.4 million.
- Announced Positive Topline Results of Pivotal Phase 2 ACTION-Galactosemia Study. In January 2020, we announced positive topline results from the Pivotal Phase 2 portion of the ACTION-Galactosemia study of AT-007, a central nervous system (CNS) penetrant Aldose Reductase inhibitor (ARI), in adult Galactosemia patients. AT-007 treatment resulted in a statistically significant and robust reduction in plasma galactitol vs placebo in adult Galactosemia patients, and AT-007 was well tolerated, with no drug-related adverse events noted. We plan to utilize recent FDA guidance permitting biomarker-based development in low prevalence, slowly progressing rare metabolic diseases, such as Galactosemia, and expect to file for regulatory approval in the second half of 2020. We plan to present the full data from the ACTION-Galactosemia trial at the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders Annual Meeting, being held April 26 – 29 in Austin, Texas.
- Presented Pre-Clinical Data Highlighting AT-001 for Treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy at the World Congress on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease (WCIRDC). In December 2019, we presented pre-clinical data on AT-001, a novel, potent and selective Aldose Reductase inhibitor (ARI) in Phase 3 clinical development for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy at WCIRDC in Los Angeles, California. The data showed a head to head comparison of AT-001 vs a first-generation ARI and highlights the improvements over these prior ARIs.
- Presented Study Design and Rationale for the ARISE-HF Pivotal Study of AT-001 for Treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy at the 16th Annual Global Cardiovascular Clinical Trialist’s Forum (CVCT). In December 2019, we presented the study design and rationale for our ongoing ARISE-HF study at CVCT in Washington, D.C. ARISE-HF is a Phase 3 pivotal study examining effects of AT-001 on functional capacity (as measured by peak V02) in patients with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy at high risk of progression. We expect to announce topline data from the ARISE-HF trial in 2021.
- Presented Clinical Data Highlighting AT-001 for the Treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2019. In November 2019, we presented clinical data on AT-001 at AHA 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The data presented support our clinical rationale for development of AT-001 in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by showing a reduction in NTproBNP, an important cardiac stress biomarker shown to correlate with long term heart failure outcomes and a strong preliminary indicator of efficacy in this patient population.
Financial Results
- Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $38.9 million as of December 31, 2019, compared with $18.8 million at December 31, 2018. This does not include approximately $143.4 million in gross process we received from an underwritten public offering of common stock in January 2020.
- Research and development expenses for the year-ended December 31, 2019 were $32.4 million, compared to $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase of approximately $20.9 million was primarily related to increased activity on our clinical trials, including an increase in clinical and pre‑clinical expenses of $12.4 million and drug manufacturing and formulation expenses of $4.1 million, an increase in personnel expenses of $4.6 million that is allocated to research and development, offset by a decrease in regulatory and other expenses of $0.2 million.
- General and administrative expenses were $13.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase of approximately $11.2 million was primarily related to the increase of personnel expenses of $4.4 million due to the portion of the chief executive officer’s salary that is allocated to general and administrative and the hiring of other personnel, including the chief financial officer, and an increase in professional and legal fees of $3.5 million due to the closing of multiple financings and increased IP work, and an increase in other expenses of $3.2 million, primarily due to recruiting efforts for the chief medical officer and rent.
- Net loss for year ended December 31, 2019 was $45.5 million, or $3.55 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $16.5 million, or $3.01 per basic and diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2018.
About Applied Therapeutics
Applied Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need. The Company’s lead drug candidate, AT-007, is a novel central nervous system penetrant aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) for the treatment of Galactosemia, a rare pediatric metabolic disease. The Company initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in June 2019 and read out positive top-line biomarker data in adult Galactosemia patients in January of 2020. The Company is also developing AT-001, a novel potent ARI that is being developed for the treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy, or DbCM, a fatal fibrosis of the heart. The Company initiated a Phase 3 registrational study in DbCM in September 2019. The preclinical pipeline also includes AT-003, an ARI designed to cross through the back of the eye when dosed orally, for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, expected to advance into a Phase 1 study in 2020, as well as novel dual PI3k inhibitors in preclinical development for orphan oncology indications.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management, including words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are forward-looking statements. These include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) our plan to move quickly towards regulatory filing following our pivotal Phase 2 ACTION-Galactosemia study, while preparing for Galactosemia commercial launch and growing our organization, (ii) the timing of the initiation and completion of our clinical trials, (iii) the likelihood that data from our clinical trials will support future development of our product candidates, and (iv) the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval of our product candidates and qualifying for any special designations, such as orphan drug designation. Forward-looking statements in this release involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, and we, therefore cannot assure you that our plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or achieved. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, (i) our plans to develop and commercialize our product candidates, (ii) the initiation, timing, progress and results of our current and future preclinical studies and clinical trials and our research and development programs, (iii) our ability to take advantage of expedited regulatory pathways for any of our product candidates, (iv) our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing, (v) our ability to successfully acquire or license additional product candidates on reasonable terms, (vi) our ability to maintain and establish collaborations or obtain additional funding, (vii) our ability to obtain regulatory approval of our current and future product candidates, (viii) our expectations regarding the potential market size and the rate and degree of market acceptance of such product candidates, (ix) our ability to fund our working capital requirements and expectations regarding the sufficiency of our capital resources, (x) the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and product candidates, (xi) our intellectual property position and the duration of our patent rights, (xii) developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights, (xiii) our expectations regarding government and third-party payor coverage and reimbursement, (xiv) our ability to compete in the markets we serve, (xv) the impact of government laws and regulations and liabilities thereunder, (xvi) developments relating to our competitors and our industry and (xvii) other factors that may impact our financial results. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur at all. Factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as otherwise required by law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Contacts
Investors:
Maeve Conneighton
(212) 600-1902 or
appliedtherapeutics@argotpartners.com
Media:
Trammy Lai
(917) 297-5956 or
media@appliedtherapeutics.com
| Applied Therapeutics, Inc. | ||||||||
| Statement of Operations | ||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 32,350 | $ | 11,471 | ||||
| General and administrative | 13,232 | 2,047 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 45,582 | 13,518 | ||||||
| LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (45,582 | ) | (13,518 | ) | ||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET: | ||||||||
| Interest income (expense), net | 93 | (1,642 | ) | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | (221 | ) | |||||
| Other income (expense) | (24 | ) | (1,140 | ) | ||||
| Total other income (expense), net | 69 | (3,003 | ) | |||||
| Net loss | $ | (45,513 | ) | $ | (16,521 | ) | ||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted | $ | (45,513 | ) | $ | (16,521 | ) | ||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted | $ | (3.55 | ) | $ | (3.01 | ) | ||
| Weighted-average common stock outstanding—basic and diluted | 12,831,221 | 5,483,149 | ||||||
| Applied Therapeutics, Inc. | ||||||||
| Balance Sheet | ||||||||
| As of December 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 18,850 | $ | 18,748 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 7,301 | 1,498 | ||||||
| Investments | 20,004 | — | ||||||
| Total current assets | 46,155 | 20,246 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | 2,035 | — | ||||||
| Security deposits and leasehold improvements | 199 | — | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 48,389 | $ | 20,246 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 356 | — | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 8,793 | 3,015 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 4,950 | 1,413 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 14,099 | 4,428 | ||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Noncurrent portion of operating lease liabilities | 1,683 | — | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 15,782 | 4,428 | ||||||
| Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 0 shares and 3,093,898 shares authorized at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; 0 shares and 3,093,898 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; liquidation preference of $0 and $7,000 at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively | — | 6,254 | ||||||
| Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 0 shares and 7,790,052 shares authorized as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; 0 shares and 4,001,848 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; liquidation preference of $0 and $29,964 as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively | — | 29,156 | ||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT): | ||||||||
| Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 and 20,441,982 shares authorized as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; 18,531,560 shares and 5,513,531 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively | 1 | — | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 99,378 | 1,665 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (2 | ) | — | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (66,770 | ) | (21,257 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity (deficit) | 32,607 | (19,592 | ) | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | $ | 48,389 | $ | 20,246 | ||||