WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Entasis Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ETTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibacterial products, announced its third quarter financial results for the period ended September 30, 2019 and provided a business update.
“We are extremely pleased by the continued progress we have made advancing our pipeline during the third quarter of 2019,” stated Manos Perros, President and Chief Executive Officer of Entasis Therapeutics. “We reached another pivotal milestone in September with the advancement of our second program, zoliflodacin, a novel antibiotic for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea, into a Phase 3 clinical trial. In addition to zoliflodacin, sulbactam-durlobactam (SUL-DUR) is being studied in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter infections in the ongoing ATTACK Phase 3 clinical trial.”
Dr. Perros added, “We also strengthened our company with the additions of Dr. Howard Mayer to our board of directors, effective August 5, 2019 and David Altarac, M.D., MPA as Chief Medical Officer, effective November 4, 2019. Dr. Mayer brings significant clinical expertise in the infectious and rare disease space as well as operational leadership to both our board and company. Dr. Altarac brings over 20 years of biopharmaceutical R&D leadership and has led multiple new drug approvals and product extensions in major markets. Overall, we remain committed to executing our strategic initiatives and believe our skilled leadership team, strong pipeline, and focused business plan position us well in anticipation of our first Phase 3 data readout from the ATTACK clinical trial during the second half of 2020.”
Third Quarter and Recent Highlights
Third Quarter Financial Results
The Company reported a net loss of $3.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to a net loss of $8.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to milestone revenue of $7.0 million from our collaboration with Zai Lab Limited in 2019 related to the achievement of key milestones in our ATTACK clinical trial.
Research and development expenses were $7.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to $8.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to decreases in drug manufacturing costs, partially offset by increases in clinical development expenses related to the advancement of our SUL-DUR product candidate.
General and administrative expenses were $3.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to $2.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, an increase driven by costs associated with additional headcount and VAT taxes associated with the milestone revenue from our collaboration with Zai Lab Limited.
As of September 30, 2019, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $48.8 million, compared to $59.5 million as of June 30, 2019. The Company believes its current cash position, together with earned milestones from our collaboration with Zai Lab Limited, provides a cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2020. Additionally, the Company signed a $20 million common stock purchase agreement with Aspire Capital Fund, LLC on October 21, 2019.
About Entasis
Entasis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel antibacterial products to treat serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Entasis’ pathogen-targeted design platform has produced a pipeline of product candidates, including sulbactam-durlobactam (targeting Acinetobacter baumannii infections), zoliflodacin (targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae), and ETX0282CPDP (targeting Enterobacteriaceae infections). Entasis is also using its platform to develop a novel class of antibiotics, non-β-lactam inhibitors of the penicillin-binding proteins (NBPs) (targeting Gram-negative infections). For more information, visit www.entasistx.com.
Entasis Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Entasis’ expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during non-clinical or clinical studies, clinical site activation rates or clinical trial enrollment rates that are lower than expected and changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of Entasis’ collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates and unexpected litigation or other disputes. Many of these factors are beyond Entasis’ control. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the Entasis’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section titled “Risk Factors” contained therein. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and except as required by law, Entasis assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.
Company Contact
Kyle Dow
Entasis Therapeutics
(781) 810-0114
kyle.dow@entasistx.com
Investor Relations Contacts
Tram Bui / James Salierno
The Ruth Group
(646) 536-7035 / 7028
tbui@theruthgroup.com
jsalierno@theruthgroup.com
Media Contact
Kirsten Thomas
The Ruth Group
(508) 280-6592
kthomas@theruthgroup.com
(Financial Tables Follow)
Entasis Therapeutics Holdings Inc. | |||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||||||||||
Unaudited | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 7,000 | $ | - | $ | 7,000 | $ | 5,000 | |||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Research and development | 7,606 | 8,086 | 29,286 | 26,115 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 3,521 | 2,075 | 10,130 | 7,840 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 11,127 | 10,161 | 39,416 | 33,955 | |||||||||||
Loss from operations | (4,127 | ) | (10,161 | ) | (32,416 | ) | (28,955 | ) | |||||||
Other income: | |||||||||||||||
Grant income | 634 | 1,669 | 1,835 | 4,507 | |||||||||||
Interest income | 332 | 19 | 1,240 | 47 | |||||||||||
Total other income | 966 | 1,688 | 3,075 | 4,554 | |||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (3,161 | ) | (8,473 | ) | (29,341 | ) | (24,401 | ) | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | 324 | - | 467 | 472 | |||||||||||
Net loss | (3,485 | ) | (8,473 | ) | (29,808 | ) | (24,873 | ) | |||||||
Dividends declared | - | (9,142 | ) | - | (9,142 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted | $ | (3,485 | ) | $ | (17,615 | ) | $ | (29,808 | ) | $ | (34,015 | ) | |||
Net loss per share—basic and diluted | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | (20.33 | ) | $ | (2.27 | ) | $ | (113.22 | ) | |||
Weighted average common stock outstanding—basic and diluted | 13,134,538 | 866,641 | 13,130,837 | 300,435 | |||||||||||
Entasis Therapeutics Holdings Inc. | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
Unaudited | |||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | $ | 48,810 | $ | 85,092 | |||
Other assets | 14,477 | 4,182 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 63,287 | $ | 89,274 | |||
Total liabilities | $ | 8,393 | $ | 6,391 | |||
Total stockholders' equity | 54,894 | 82,883 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 63,287 | $ | 89,274 | |||