BRISBANE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AIMT), a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for life-threatening food allergies, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017.
“The progress we made in 2017 has set up 2018 as a potentially transformational year for Aimmune,” said Stephen Dilly, MBBS, Ph.D. “We kicked off this year with positive Phase 3 PALISADE results, which form the core clinical element for our regulatory submissions for approval of AR101 to treat peanut allergy in the U.S. and Europe. We are extremely pleased with the continued high level of enthusiasm from patients and investigators in our trials, which have exceeded enrollment targets. In parallel, we are advancing manufacturing and pre-commercial activities in anticipation of a potential commercial launch. With proceeds from our recently completed public offering, we are well financed to deliver on our goals for AR101 and to drive our pipeline of CODIT™ products forward for additional life-threatening food allergies.”
Recent AR101 Program Highlights
Announced Positive Topline Results of Phase 3 PALISADE trial. In February 2018, Aimmune announced that the Phase 3 PALISADE trial met its primary endpoint, as 67% of AR101 patients ages 4–17 tolerated at least a 600-mg dose of peanut protein in the exit double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) compared to 4% of placebo patients (p<0.00001). The lower-bound of the 95% confidence interval of the difference between treatment arms at the primary endpoint was 53%, greatly exceeding the pre-specified threshold of 15% (p<0.00001). Serious adverse events related to study drug were reported in 1.1% of AR101 patients ages 4–17. Three suspected cases of eosinophilic esophagitis were observed with only one case confirmed following biopsy.
Over-Enrolled Phase 3 RAMSES Real-World Trial. In January 2018, Aimmune announced over-enrollment of RAMSES, which does not require a DBPCFC, and which will monitor treatment-emergent adverse events during a six-month up-dosing period. Patients will then be followed in an open-label manner for at least six months on the maintenance dose of 300 mg of AR101 per day. A total of 506 peanut-allergic patients ages 4-17 have been randomized to treatment with AR101 or placebo.
Over-Enrolled Phase 3 ARTEMIS Trial in Europe. In February 2018, Aimmune completed enrollment of ARTEMIS in Europe. ARTEMIS is designed to explore protection at an endpoint of tolerating a single dose of 1,000 mg of peanut protein in a DBPCFC after nine months of treatment. A total of 175 patients ages 4-17 have been randomized to treatment with AR101 or placebo.
Completed Enrollment in PALISADE Follow-On Trial ARC004. In January 2018, Aimmune completed enrollment in ARC004, which is designed to test the potential for reduced frequency of dosing during the maintenance phase of AR101 therapy. A total of 358 patients ages 4-17 years (92% of those who completed PALISADE) chose to participate in ARC004.
4Q 2017 and Recent Corporate Highlights
Formed Clinical Collaboration with Regeneron and Sanofi. In October 2017, Aimmune announced a partnership with Regeneron and Sanofi to explore desensitization with AR101 with adjunctive dupilumab in peanut-allergic patients in a Phase 2 clinical trial, which is expected to begin in 2018.
Broadened and Extended Supply Agreement with Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts. In January 2018, Aimmune announced the expansion and extension of its exclusive supply agreement with Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts, the leading handler, processor, and exporter of peanuts and tree nuts, to support the anticipated potential commercialization of AR101.
Expanded the Aimmune Scientific Advisory Board. In February 2018, Aimmune announced that Prof. George du Toit and Dr. Wayne Shreffler, leading academic experts in allergy and immunology, joined the company’s Scientific Advisory Board.
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Upcoming Milestones |
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| Timing | Milestone | ||
| 2Q 18 | Presentation of Phase 3 PALISADE data at the EAACI 37th Annual Congress | ||
| 2H 18 | RAMSES data available | ||
| 2H 18 | Initiate ARC005 trial of AR101 in infants and toddlers | ||
| 3Q 18 | Data cut from ARC004 | ||
| YE 18 | Initiate Phase 2 trial of AR101 with adjunctive dupilumab | ||
| YE 18 | Submit Biologics License Application for AR101 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration | ||
| YE 18 | Submit Investigational New Drug Application for AR201 in egg allergy | ||
| 1H 19 | ARTEMIS data available | ||
| 1H 19 | Submit Marketing Authorisation Application for AR101 to the European Medicines Agency | ||
| 1H 19 | Initiate Phase 2 clinical trial of AR201 in egg allergy | ||
| 2H 19 | Submit Investigational New Drug Application for AR301 in walnut allergy | ||
| 2H 19 | Initiate Phase 2 clinical trial of AR301 in walnut allergy | ||
| 2H 19 | Potential approval of AR101 in the U.S. | ||
Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results
For the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, net loss was $41.2 million and $131.3 million, respectively, compared to net loss of $25.1 million and $80.8 million for the comparable periods of 2016.
On a per share basis, net loss for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, was $0.81 and $2.61, respectively, compared to net loss per share of $0.55 and $1.89 for the comparable periods of 2016. The weighted average shares outstanding for each of the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, were 50.8 million and 50.4 million shares, respectively, compared to 45.5 million and 42.8 million shares for the comparable periods in 2016.
Research and development expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, were $28.7 million and $89.3 million, respectively, compared to $17.0 million and $54.6 million for the comparable periods in 2016. The increase was primarily due to the progression of the AR101 program, which include the RAMSES, ARC008, ARTEMIS and ARC011 that commenced in 2017, and higher contract manufacturing costs to support clinical development.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, were $13.0 million and $43.9 million, respectively, compared to $8.3 million and $26.9 million for the comparable periods in 2016. The increase was primarily due to additional employee-related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, and external professional services as Aimmune continues to build the infrastructure to support the development and potential commercialization of AR101.
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $182.4 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $282.5 million at December 31, 2016. The decrease primarily reflects cash used in operations. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company completed the sale and issuance of an aggregate of 6,325,000 shares of Common Stock, which includes the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 825,000 shares of common stock, the Company received net proceeds from the Offering of approximately $190.0 million.
About Aimmune Therapeutics
Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for life-threatening food allergies. The company’s Characterized Oral Desensitization ImmunoTherapy (CODIT™) approach is intended to achieve meaningful levels of protection by desensitizing patients with defined, precise amounts of key allergens. Aimmune’s first investigational biologic product using CODIT™, AR101 for the treatment of peanut allergy, has received the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the desensitization of peanut-allergic patients 4-17 years of age and is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials. For more information, please see www.aimmune.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Aimmune’s expectations regarding the potential benefits of AR101; Aimmune’s expectations for the RAMSES, ARTEMIS and ARC004 trials, including the expected timing of data readouts and data cuts for these trials; Aimmune’s expectations on regulatory submissions for marketing approval of AR101 in the United States and Europe, including the timing of these submissions; Aimmune’s expectations regarding the potential commercial launch of AR101, including the timing of a potential approval or AR101; Aimmune’s expectations regarding the timing of initiating additional clinical trials for AR101, including ARC005 and a trial exploring AR101 with adjunctive dupilumab; Aimmune’s expectations on the timing of submitting an IND and initiating phase 2 clinical trials for AR201 in egg allergy and AR301 in walnut allergy; and Aimmune’s expectations regarding potential applications of the CODIT™ approach to treating life-threatening food allergies. Risks and uncertainties that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the expectation that Aimmune will need additional funds to finance its operations; the company’s ability to initiate and/or complete clinical trials; the unpredictability of the regulatory process; the possibility that the results of early clinical trials may not be predictive of future results; the possibility that Aimmune’s clinical trials will not be successful; Aimmune’s dependence on the success of AR101; the company’s reliance on third parties for the manufacture of the company’s product candidates; possible regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; and the company’s ability to attract and retain senior management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Aimmune's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Aimmune undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
This press release concerns a product that is under clinical investigation and that has not yet been approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It is currently limited to investigational use, and no representation is made as to its safety or effectiveness for the purposes for which it is being investigated.
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AIMMUNE THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
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| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
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December 31, |
December 31, |
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| Assets | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 73,487 | $ | 124,010 | ||
| Short-term investments | 108,943 | 124,921 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,681 | 2,749 | ||||
| Total current assets | 189,111 | 251,680 | ||||
| Long-term investments | — | 33,602 | ||||
| Property and equipment, net | 17,205 | 10,391 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 618 | 3,116 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 206,934 | $ | 298,789 | ||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||
| Current liabilities | $ | 26,599 | $ | 11,450 | ||
| Other liabilities | 2,530 | 1,367 | ||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 177,805 | 285,972 | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 206,934 | $ | 298,789 | ||
| (1)Derived from the audited financial statements, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. | ||||||
| AIMMUNE THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
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Quarter Ended |
Year Ended |
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| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development(1) | $ | 28,654 | $ | 16,958 | $ | 89,325 | $ | 54,642 | ||||||||
| General and administrative(1) | 12,986 | 8,343 | 43,949 | 26,885 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 41,640 | 25,301 | 133,274 | 81,527 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (41,640 | ) | (25,301 | ) | (133,274 | ) | (81,527 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income, net | 530 | 225 | 2,005 | 703 | ||||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | (41,110 | ) | (25,076 | ) | (131,269 | ) | (80,824 | ) | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 56 | — | 56 | — | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (41,166 | ) | $ | (25,076 | ) | $ | (131,325 | ) | $ | (80,824 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.81 | ) | $ | (0.55 | ) | $ | (2.61 | ) | $ | (1.89 | ) | ||||
| Shares used in computing net loss per basic and diluted share | 50,839 | 45,491 | 50,401 | 42,751 | ||||||||||||
| (1)Includes employee stock-based compensation expense of: | ||||||||||||||||
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Quarter Ended |
Year Ended |
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| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 1,595 | $ | 1,128 | $ | 5,077 | $ | 4,838 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 3,253 | 2,420 | 11,642 | 7,803 | ||||||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 4,848 | $ | 3,548 | $ | 16,719 | $ | 12,641 | ||||||||