Mirna Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results and MRX34 Clinical Program Updates

AUSTIN, Texas--()--Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on microRNA-based oncology therapeutics, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2016 and provided an update on recent developments.

MRX34 CLINICAL PROGRAM

In September 2016, the Company voluntarily halted the ongoing Phase 1 trial of its first product candidate, MRX34, following multiple immune-related serious adverse events (SAEs) observed in patients dosed with MRX34 over the course of the trial. Three of these immune-related events resulted in the patient’s death. Subsequently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified the Company that the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for MRX34 has been placed on full clinical hold. Among other comments, the FDA requested a final clinical study report be submitted and noted that a risk-benefit summary with sufficient justification for the continued development of MRX34 would be necessary if the Company requested removal of the clinical hold.

“We were disappointed with the outcome of our Phase 1 study, however, our first priority in developing innovative therapeutics is the safety of patients,” said President and CEO Paul Lammers, M.D., M.Sc. “Based on our assessment of both potential therapeutic benefit and risk, we have decided to discontinue development of MRX34 and suspend our pipeline R&D programs.”

The Company has initiated a plan to reduce personnel and expenses in order to preserve capital and streamline operations, and it plans to focus on meeting regulatory requirements related to closure of the Phase 1 trial as well as other operating activities consistent with the decision to discontinue development of MRX34. The Company also expects to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives with the goal of enhancing stockholder value.

THIRD QUARTER 2016 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Cash Position and Guidance: Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled $66.7 million as of September 30, 2016, compared to $89.7 million as of December 31, 2015. The Company has no debt.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2017, after giving effect to the personnel and expense reductions, the Company expects its quarterly cash burn rate will range from $2.1 million to $2.3 million. This 2017 quarterly guidance includes contractual commitments and obligations, but excludes any one-time charges related to a strategic transaction should one be concluded.

Research and development expenses: Research and development expenses were $3.4 million and $11.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to $4.7 million and $12.6 million during the comparable periods in 2015. The decrease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was primarily attributable to higher costs incurred in 2015 associated with our Phase 1 clinical trial for MRX34, specifically adding additional sites and upfront drug manufacturing costs. The decrease in 2016 was partially offset by an increase in employee compensation, benefits and stock compensation.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $2.0 million and $6.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to $1.6 million and $3.6 million during the comparable periods in 2015. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increased employee compensation expense due to a higher headcount and higher outside professional and consulting costs, the majority of which were costs to comply with public company operating and reporting requirements.

Net Loss: Net loss was approximately $5.4 million and $17.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to a net loss of $6.2 million and $16.2 million for the comparable periods in 2015. The results included non-cash, stock-based related compensation charges of $513,000 and $1,202,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $210,000 and $561,000 for the comparable periods in 2015.

About Mirna Therapeutics, Inc.

Mirna is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of microRNA-based oncology therapeutics. Mirna’s first product candidate, MRX34, the first microRNA mimic to enter clinical development in oncology, was studied as a single agent in a multicenter Phase 1 clinical trial, which included patients with primary liver cancer, other solid cancers, and hematological malignancies. In September 2016, Mirna voluntarily halted enrollment and dosing in the clinical study following multiple immune-related serious adverse events (SAEs) observed in patients dosed with MRX34 over the course of the trial. The Company is currently evaluating opportunities to enhance stockholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Mirna, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding whether we will meet regulatory requirements related to closure of the Phase 1 trial, our exploration and evaluation of strategic alternatives with the goal of enhancing stockholder value and our expectations regarding our quarterly cash burn rate. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to our business in general, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 30, 2016 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, expected to be filed with the SEC on or about November 10, 2016.

Mirna Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
   
September 30, December 31,
2016 2015
Assets (Unaudited)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,958 $ 89,713
Short-term marketable securities 39,300
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 818   829  
Total current assets 67,076 90,542
Property and equipment, net 1,834 375
Long-term marketable securities 400
Restricted cash 2,431    
Total assets $ 71,741   $ 90,917  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,153 $ 3,687
Accrued expenses 1,943   2,214  
Total liabilities 3,096   5,901  
 
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015; 0 shares outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015; 20,835,868 and 20,830,555 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively 21 21
Additional paid in capital 162,729 161,518
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (8 )
Accumulated deficit (94,097 ) (76,523 )
Total stockholders’ equity 68,645   85,016  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 71,741   $ 90,917  
Mirna Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (unaudited)
(in thousands)
               
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2016   2015 2016   2015
Operating expenses:
Research and development $ 3,384 $ 4,683 $ 11,589 $ 12,584
General and administrative 1,940   1,556   6,119   3,618  
Total operating expenses 5,324 6,239 17,708 16,202
Other income (expense):
Interest income 97 8 272 8
Loss on disposal of assets (138 )   (138 )  
Total other income (expense) (41 ) 8   134   8  
Net loss $ (5,365 ) $ (6,231 ) $ (17,574 ) $ (16,194 )
Less: Accretion and dividends on convertible preferred stock   (1,554 )   (4,217 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (5,365 ) $ (7,785 ) $ (17,574 ) $ (20,411 )

Contacts

Investors
Mirna Therapeutics, Inc.
Alan Fuhrman, 919-901-0905
afuhrman@mirnarx.com
or
Media
BMC Communications
Brad Miles, 646-513-3125
bmiles@bmccommunications.com

Contacts

Investors
Mirna Therapeutics, Inc.
Alan Fuhrman, 919-901-0905
afuhrman@mirnarx.com
or
Media
BMC Communications
Brad Miles, 646-513-3125
bmiles@bmccommunications.com