GT Biopharma Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results


  • IND submission for GTB-3650, 2nd generation nanobody TriKE® for treatment of CD33+ leukemia, expected in Q4 2023
  • Phase 1 clinical trial initiation evaluating GTB-3650 for treatment of CD33+ leukemia anticipated in 2024
  • Cash of approximately $16 million as of September 30, 2023, provides ample runway to fund operations into 2H 2024; anticipated to be sufficient to initiate clinical trial activities on GTB-3650

BRISBANE, CALIFORNIA, Nov. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GT Biopharma, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GTBP), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics based on the Company's proprietary natural killer (NK) cell engager, TriKE® platform, today announced third quarter 2023 results for the period ended September 30, 2023.

“We continue to move forward in advancing our novel portfolio of TriKE® nanobody assets,” said Michael Breen, Executive Chairman and interim Chief Executive Office of GT Biopharma. “We remain on track to submit an IND to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Q4 2023 for GTB-3650, a second generation nanobody TriKE® for the treatment of CD33+ leukemia. Following FDA acceptance, we plan to host a KOL event highlighting the anticipated Phase 1 clinical trial design and timelines for data. Our current cash runway is sufficient to progress through multiple upcoming milestones in 2024, and we continue to actively explore potential development partnerships for our programs.”

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Summary

Cash Position: The Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $16.01 million as of September 30, 2023 compared to $17.97 million as of June 30, 2023. We expect ample runway to fund operations into 2H 2024.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $1.36 million and $5.11 million, compared to $2.57 million and $5.79 million for the same comparable periods of 2022. Research and development expenses are related to our continued development and production of our most advanced TriKE® product candidates GTB-3650 and GTB-5550 along with the progression of other promising product candidates. R&D expenses decreased over the previous year primarily due to reduction of in-house staff offset with the increase in compensation to consultants as we prepare to advance our next generation GTB-3650 camelid nanobody product into the clinic.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $1.76 million and $5.30 million, compared to $4.46 million and $9.69 million for the same comparable periods of 2022. The decrease in G&A expenses was primarily attributable to reduction in stock-based compensation to advisory board, investor relations consultants, legal and professional fees, and payroll expenses.

Other (Income) Expenses

The Company recorded interest income of $0.22 million and $0.60 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $0.11 million and $0.15 million, for the same comparable periods in 2022. The increase in interest income was due to higher interest rates offered by financial institutions in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the same comparable periods of 2022. We recorded interest expense of $0 and $0.21 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $0 for the same comparable periods in 2022, respectively. The increase in interest expense was due to the financing costs incurred associated with warrants accounted as warrant liability sold during the current year, with no comparable costs in the prior year. The Company recorded a gain due to change in the fair value of warrant liability of $0.49 million and $4.80 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to a gain of $0.06 million and $0.08 million for the same comparable periods of 2022. The increase in gain resulted due to a change in the fair value of the warrant liability during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023. We recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0 and $0.55 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $0 for the same comparable periods in 2022. The gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was as a result of share settlement of a greater amount of vendor accounts payable than the fair value of the shares on the date of settlement.

Net Loss: The Company reported a net loss of $2.42 million and $4.64 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to a net loss of $6.88 million and $15.30 million for the same comparable periods in 2022.

About Camelid Antibodies

Camelid antibodies are single domain antibodies (sdAbs) from the Camelidae family of mammals that include llamas, camels, and alpacas. These animals produce two main types of antibodies. One type of antibody camelids produce is the conventional antibody that is made up of two heavy chains and two light chains. They also produce another type of antibody that is made up of only two heavy chains and no light chain. This is known as heavy chain IgG (hcIgG). While these antibodies do not contain the CH1 region, they retain an antigen binding domain called the VHH region. VHH antibodies, also known as single domain antibodies, contain only the VHH region from the camelid antibody. Camelid antibodies have key characteristics, which include high affinity and specificity (equivalent to conventional antibodies), high thermostability, good solubility and strictly monomeric behavior, small size, relatively low production cost, ease of genetic engineering, format flexibility or modularity, low immunogenicity, and a higher penetration rate into tissues.

About GT Biopharma, Inc.

GT Biopharma, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of immuno-oncology therapeutic products based on our proprietary TriKE® NK cell engager platform. Our TriKE® platform is designed to harness and enhance the cancer killing abilities of a patient’s immune system’s natural killer cells. GT Biopharma has an exclusive worldwide license agreement with the University of Minnesota to further develop and commercialize therapies using TriKE® technology. For more information, please visit gtbiopharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" regarding future events and our future results. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the markets in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects", "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "endeavors," "strives," "may," or variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, estimate or verify. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented by subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

TriKE® is a registered trademark owned by GT Biopharma, Inc.

Investor Relations Contact:

LifeSci Advisors
Corey Davis, Ph.D.
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com
212-915-2577

GT BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except shares and par value)

  September 30,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
  (Unaudited)    
ASSETS        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $2,648  $5,672 
Short-term investments  13,366   10,836 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  38   54 
Total Current Assets  16,052   16,562 
         
Operating lease right-of-use asset  87   165 
Deposits  9   9 
TOTAL ASSETS $16,148  $16,736 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities        
Accounts payable $3,970  $3,140 
Accrued expenses  1,028   1,669 
Current operating lease liability  92   110 
Total Current Liabilities  5,090   4,919 
         
Non-current operating lease liability  -   64 
Warrant liability  1,053   19 
Total Liabilities  6,143   5,002 
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Convertible Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 15,000,000 shares authorized, Series C - 96,230 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively  1   1 
Common stock, par value $0.001, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 41,418,999 shares and 32,722,452 shares issued and outstanding        
as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively  42   33 
         
Additional paid in capital  689,065   686,168 
Accumulated deficit  (679,103)  (674,468)
Total Stockholders’ Equity  10,005   11,734 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $16,148  $16,736 


GT BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

  For The Three Months Ended  For the Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2023   2022   2023   2022  
  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 
             
Revenues $-   $-   $-   $-  
                 
Operating Expenses:                
Research and development (including $0 and $201 expense from stock compensation granted to officers, directors and employees during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and $13 and $327 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively)  1,364    2,743    5,109    5,969  
                 
Selling, general and administrative (including $0.5 million and $2.7 million expense from stock compensation granted to officers, directors and employees during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and $1.8 million and $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively)  1,758    4,280    5,299    9,510  
                 
Loss from Operations  (3,122)   (7,023)   (10,408)   (15,479) 
                 
Other (Income) Expense                
Interest income  (216 )  (107 )  (600 )  (151 )
Interest expense  -    -    213    -  
Change in fair value of derivative liability  (485 )  (58 )  (4,796 )  (81 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt  -    -    (547 )  -  
Unrealized (gain) loss on short term investments   (5 )  23    (43 )  53  
Total Other (Income) Expense  (706 )  (142 )  (5,773 )  (179 )
                 
Net Loss $(2,416 ) $(6,881 ) $(4,635 ) $(15,300 )
                 
Net Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted $(0.06 ) $(0.22 ) $(0.12 ) $(0.48 )
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted  41,016,075    31,380,634    40,095,945    31,723,792  


GT BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)

For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 (Unaudited)                  
  Preferred Shares  Common Shares  Common Shares Issuable  Additional Paid in  Accumulated    
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Total 
                            
Balance, June 30, 2023  96  $1   40,640  $41   -  $-  $688,408  $(676,687) $11,763 
                                     
Fair value of vested stock options  -   -   -   -   -   -   433   -   433 
                                     
Issuance of common stock to an officer and a board member for services  -   -   400   1   -   -   114   -   115 
                                     
Issuance of common stock in settlement of accounts payable and accrued expenses  -   -   379   -   -   -   110   -   110 
                                     
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (2,416)  (2,416)
                                     
Balance, September 30, 2023  96  $1   41,419  $42   -  $-  $689,065  $(679,103) $10,005 


For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (Unaudited)                  
  Preferred Shares  Common Shares  Common Shares Issuable  Additional Paid in  Accumulated    
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Total 
                            
Balance, December 31, 2022  96  $1   32,723  $33   -  $-  $686,168  $(674,468) $11,734 
                                     
Private placement of common stock  -   -   3,600   4   -   -   6,264   -   6,268 
                                     
Initial recognition of fair value of warrant liability  -   -   -   -   -   -   (5,831)  -   (5,831)
                                     
Fair value of vested stock options  -   -   -       -   -   1,337   -   1,337 
                                     
Issuance of common stock to officer and board member for services  -   -   473   -   -   -   430   -   430 
                                     
Issuance of common stock for exercise of Prefunded Warrants  -   -   2,900   3   -   -   (3)  -   - 
                                     
Issuance of common stock in settlement of accounts payable and accrued expenses  -   -   1,723   2   -   -   700   -   702 
                                     
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (4,635)  (4,635)
                                     
Balance, September 30, 2023  96  $1   41,419  $42   -  $-  $689,065  $(679,103) $10,005 


For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)                   
  Preferred Shares  Common Shares  Common Shares Issuable  Additional Paid in  Accumulated    
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Total 
                            
Balance, June 30, 2022  96  $1   30,694  $31   -  $-  $677,411  $(662,003) $15,440 
                                     
Equity compensation to officers, employees, and board of directors  -   -   78   -   378   938   2,006   -   2,944 
                                     
Issuance of common shares for services  -   -   135   -   -   -   1,200   -   1,200 
                                     
Issuance of common shares in settlement of vendors payable  -   -   1,222   1   -   -   3,250   -   3,251 
                                     
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (6,881)  (6,881)
                                     
Balance, September 30, 2022  96  $1   32,129  $32   378  $938  $683,867  $(668,884) $15,954 


For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)                   
  Preferred Shares  Common Shares  Common Shares Issuable  Additional Paid in  Accumulated    
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Total 
                            
Balance, December 31, 2021  96  $1   32,062  $32   327  $1,113  $674,348  $(653,584) $21,910 
                                     
Cancellation of common stock upon settlement with former officer  -   -   (1,845)  (1)  -   -   (222)  -   (223)
                                     
Cancellation of common stock  -   -   (291)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
                                     
Common shares issued upon conversion of notes payable  -   -   327       (327)  (1,113)  1,113   -   - 
                                     
Equity compensation to officers, employees, and board of directors  -   -   242   -   378   938   2,916   -   3,854 
                                     
Issuance of common shares for services  -   -   412   -   -   -   2,462   -   2,462 
                                     
Issuance of common shares in settlement of vendors payable  -   -   1,222   1   -   -   3,250   -   3,251 
                                     
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (15,300)  (15,300)
                                     
Balance, September 30, 2022  96  $1   32,129  $32   378  $938  $683,867  $(668,884) $15,954 


GT BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

  For The Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2023  2022 
  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net loss $(4,635) $(15,300)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Stock based compensation – common shares for services  430   5,713 
Stock based compensation – vested stock options  1,337   3,854 
Change in fair value of warrant liability  (4,796)  (81)
Gain on extinguishment of debt  (547)  - 
         
Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities  (43)  53 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Decrease in prepaid expenses  16   102 
Increase in deposits  -   (9)
Decrease in operating lease right of use assets  78   70 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses  1,437   (5,259)
(Decrease) in operating lease liability  (82)  (62)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities  (6,805)  (10,919)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Sales (purchases) of investments  (2,487)  4,639 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities  (2,487)  4,639 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and prefunded warrants  6,268   - 
Cancellation of common stock upon settlement with former officer  -   (223)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities  6,268   (223)
         
Net Decrease in Cash  (3,024)  (6,503)
Cash at Beginning of Period  5,672   8,968 
Cash at End of Period $2,648  $2,465 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Cash paid during the year for:        
Interest $-  $- 
Income taxes paid $-  $- 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Right-of-use assets exchanged for lease liabilities $-  $260 
Initial recognition of fair value of warrant liability $5,831  $- 
Fair value of common stock issued to settle accounts payable and accrued expenses $700  $- 
Common stock issued upon conversion of notes payable and accrued interest $-  $1,113