Celcuity Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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August 10, 2023

There are 7 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Celcuity Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all lines are in a listen only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question and answer session. This call is being recorded on Thursday, 10th August, 2023. I would now like to turn the conference over to Robert Uhl, ICR Westwicke.

Operator

Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Thank you, operator, and good afternoon to everyone on the Thank you for joining us to review Celcuity's Q2 2023 financial results and business update. Earlier today, Celcuity released financial results for the Q2 ending June 30, 2023. The press release can be found on the Investors section of the company website. Joining me on the call today are Brian Sullivan, Cellcuity's Chief Executive Officer and Co Founder Vicki Hahn, Chief Financial Officer as well as Igor Gorbachevsky, Chief Medical Officer, who will be available during Q and A. Before we begin, I would like to remind listeners that our comments today will include some forward looking statements.

Speaker 1

These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, Which are outlined in today's press release and in our reports and filings with the SEC. Actual events All results may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements and their implications involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those projected. On this call, we will also refer to non GAAP financial measures. These non GAAP measures are used by management to make strategic decisions, forecast future results and evaluate the company's current performance.

Speaker 1

Management believes the presentation of these non GAAP financial measures is useful for investors' understanding and assessment of the company's ongoing core operations and prospects for the future. You can find the table reconciling the non GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures in today's press release. And with that, I would now like to turn the call over to Brian Sullivan, CEO of Cellcuity. Please go ahead.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Robert, and good afternoon to everyone joining us on today's call. Our top priority this quarter was continuing to HR positive HER2 negative advanced breast cancer, whose disease progressed while receiving a CDK4six inhibitor. A fantastic job of coordinating with regulatory authorities and individual sites to ensure our sites can begin recruiting patients as quickly as possible. They're relentlessly focused on keeping us on track to report the primary analysis for the PI3 ks non mutated patient subgroup in the second half of twenty twenty four the primary analysis for the PIK3CA mutated patient subgroup in the first half of twenty twenty five. This is consistent with our previously discussed expectations.

Speaker 2

We are seeking to improve outcomes for a patient population that receives limited benefit from current second line standard of care therapies. We estimate that this initial potential target population represents over 100,000 breast cancer patients globally on an annual basis. Current standard of care for these patients includes endocrine therapies such as fulvestrant and regimens that combine fulvestrant with an mTOR specific or PI3K alpha specific targeted therapy. These therapies offer only modest progression free survival periods and in the case of the approved PI3K alpha inhibitor, a very challenging safety profile. The significant unmet need for these breast cancer patients has led to development and subsequent investigation of a significant number of new therapies aimed at these patients.

Speaker 2

An oral SERD Median PFS for these 2 new therapies range from 3.8 to 5.5 months in our patient population. While the availability of new drug alternatives for patients As always good news, based on the results reported for these drugs, the unmet need for these patients will still remain. As we've discussed previously, there is a general consensus amongst leading breast cancer researchers that HR positive HER2 negative breast cancer involves the estrogen CDK4six and PI3KM4 pathways, each of which can cross activate the other. To most effectively treat this disease, We believe data from our Phase 1b study strongly suggests that simultaneous inhibition of these three pathways is required to optimize outcomes for these patients. And to date, randomized studies have consistently shown that partial inhibition of the PI3K mTOR pathway With drugs that only target a single component of this pathway, such as ones that target PI3K alpha, AKT or mTORC1 can provide only modest antitumor effects when patients have progressed on prior CDK4six treatment.

Speaker 2

Thus, we believe gatapalisib's Highly differentiated mechanism of action as an equipotent pan PI3K mTOR inhibitor is uniquely suited to most effectively address this unmet need, especially since gatapilisib has demonstrated activity independent of the presence of PIK3CA or ESR1 mutations in a patient's tumor. Our confidence that Gadasilis can play an important role in improving outcomes for women with HR positive HER2 negative advanced breast cancer was reinforced with the updated PFS data we reported at the ESMO Breast Cancer Commerce in May for first line patients from our Phase 1b study. Treatment naive patients with HR positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer treated with getasilisib, palbociclib and leprozol obtained a median progression free survival period of 48.6 months and 79% reported an objective response. Outcomes were comparable for patients with and without PIK3CA mutations, highlighting the rationale for comprehensive as opposed to selective Inhibition of the PI3K mTOR pathway. These results compare very favorably to the median PFS of 24.5 months and the 55% objective response rate reported in the PALOMA-three study for palociclib poflextrozole.

Speaker 2

We believe the data suggests getasolucid has the potential to eventually become a first line treatment option. Last year, we began evaluating and prioritizing new potential indications for getatilisib. We have set Previous trials for other PI3K and mTOR inhibitors and characterized the activity of gataplicib and other PI3KAKT mTOR inhibitors in different hormonally driven tumor types. Our initial results from non clinical studies in prostate cancer were presented at ASCO GU in February and in gynecological cancers at AACR in April. In each of these studies, get us a list of exhibited superior activity relative to all of the other PI3KAKT mTOR inhibitors evaluated.

Speaker 2

Thus, based on the review of prior clinical studies with PI3K, AKT and M4 inhibitors and our assessment of the relative advantage Gadasilisib's mechanism of action provides, we believe there is a significant opportunity for us to develop Gadasilisib in these additional tumor types over time. We expect to provide you with an update on our pipeline development strategy by the end of Q3. Now I'd like to shift our discussion to the diagnostic side of our business centers on Celsigna, our 3rd generation diagnostics platform. Our FACT 1 and FACT 2 trials are ongoing and enrolling patients with early stage HR positive HER2 negative breast cancer whose HER2 pathway is hyperactive as detected with our cell signaling test. We continue to expect to announce interim results from these studies in the first half of twenty twenty four.

Speaker 2

With that, I'll turn the call now over to Vicki Hahn to review our financial results.

Speaker 3

Thank you, Brian, and good afternoon to everyone. I'll provide a brief overview of our Q2 20 23 financial results. The 2nd quarter net loss was $14,600,000 or $0.66 loss per share compared to net loss of $10,000,000 or $0.67 loss per share for the Q2 2022. Because these quarterly net losses include significant non cash items including stock based compensation and interest expense, We also include in our press release non GAAP adjusted net loss for the quarter ending June 30, 2023. Our non GAAP adjusted net loss for the Q2 of 2023 was $12,800,000 or $0.58 Loss per share compared to non GAAP adjusted net loss for the Q2 of 2022 of $8,300,000 or $0.55 per share.

Speaker 3

Research and development expenses were $13,700,000 for the Q2 of 2023 compared to $8,400,000 for the Q2 of 2022. The approximately $5,400,000 increase During the Q2 of 2023, primarily resulted from cost supporting activities related to VICTORIA 1 Pivotal trial. We expect this expense to increase over the next two quarters consistent with the increase between Q2 and Q1 of 2023, again, primarily due to activities associated with Victoria 1. At that point, we expect expenses to remain roughly flat in 2024. General and administrative expenses were $1,300,000 for the Q2 of 2023 compared to $1,200,000 for the Q2 of 2022.

Speaker 3

Net cash used in operating activities for the Q2 of 2023 was $9,700,000 compared to $11,300,000 for the Q2 of 2022. This was a result of non GAAP adjusted net loss of approximately $12,800,000 offset by working capital changes of approximately $1,400,000 and changes in cash received from interest income related to maturities of $200,000 of cash, cash equivalents and short term investments compared to $168,600,000 at December 31, 2022. With that, I will now hand the call back to Brian.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Vicki. Operator, we're ready to take

Operator

Your first question comes from the line of Maury Raycroft from Jefferies. Your line is now open.

Speaker 4

Hi. Thanks for taking my questions. I was just going to ask For the Phase 3, if there's any additional perspective you can share on how enrollment is going based on types of patients, potentially How it relates to wild type versus mutant patients and also geographic regions?

Speaker 2

So we're enrolling patients Consistently in all the regions. And some regions as expected will be more active than others, but we're not breaking that out Yes. And just at this point in time, but so far activities are proceeding as we expected. The site activations have gone well. The startups have gone well and the sites are engaged.

Speaker 4

Got it. Okay. And you mentioned that you're recruiting at nearly 200 sites in 20 countries. Are you going to open additional sites? Or are you satisfied with the current number of sites open enrollment rate, I guess any additional perspective there?

Speaker 2

We have some additional sites in the pipeline. And so in some ways they act as backup because not every Right. It does exactly what you'd like. And so we will over in effect activate we'll activate more than 200 sites to anticipate that some of these sites might not be as productive as we'd like. Some of these sites might not be as productive as we'd like.

Speaker 4

Got it. Okay. And one more question and then I'll hop back in the queue. I think you said in the past, there could be data this year supporting the 3 week on and 1 week off dosing schedule, which allows for the immune system holiday. When and in what forum should we expect to see data from that?

Speaker 2

Well, I think What we said was that we would have some data animal data that would show immune system activity We think it's consistent with what occurs during the 1 week off dose period With a 3 week on, 1 week off schedule. And we expect to cover that when we provide an update on our overall Pipeline, our R and D Day, so to speak, which will happen, we think, before the end of this quarter.

Speaker 4

Got it. Okay. Thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker 2

You're welcome.

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Maurice Peter from Cowen. Your line is now open.

Speaker 5

Great. Thanks for taking my question. My first question is on the VICTORIA-one trial. So my understanding is that Arm A is the key triplet arm in the study, which you plan to compare to arm C. I'm just curious does the success or failure of arm B really matter here?

Speaker 2

So RMB is intended to sort of 2 purposes. 1 is to potentially support Registration of GETTR plus fulvestrant. And that analysis B versus C is powered Independently and is going to be tested as a primary analysis. The second is that it helps Demonstrate the contribution of gatetilisib and allows analysis of the contribution of palaciclib. And so you will see or you want to see some form of arithmetic Difference between those three arms, but they don't statistically for purposes of supporting an A versus C comparison need to be significant.

Speaker 5

Great. And my second question also on VICTORIA trial. Do you have a sense of the dropout rate at this 1, maybe even on a blinded basis altogether?

Speaker 2

We don't. I mean, we have Again, this early in the study you get there's 2 factors, right? There's progression and then there's dropout due to Factors other than progression. We made assumptions in the trial that are probably pretty consistent with assumptions other companies made. And there's nothing that we've seen to date that would suggest There's anything different than what our assumptions were in terms of that would help inform A projection of primary analysis.

Speaker 5

Great. Thanks for taking my question.

Speaker 2

You're welcome.

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Gil Blum from Needham and Company. Your line is now open.

Speaker 6

Hello, everyone and good afternoon, Brian.

Speaker 5

Hi, Joe.

Speaker 6

So maybe a quick one on You mentioned a couple of agents that have had data recently. Assuming those are potentially approved at some point, could that Change the therapeutic landscape for getadulisibs combos? Thank you.

Speaker 2

Well, thanks for the question. We don't think so, because the benefit that's being reported isn't substantially better than what's Currently available in the case of the AKT inhibitor that reported data in this patient population. If you're doing a cross trial comparison at least, it appears that it's not it's comparable. The data suggests maybe not as good as the PSVT alpha inhibitor that's available. It has a better safety profile.

Speaker 2

So I'm sure the argument will be made that it can offer comparable anti tumor control with less toxicity. But it may be a legitimate and good alternative for patients in light of the current standard of care, but we don't think it necessarily Changes or raises the threshold of outcome for patients receiving these therapies. Gil, we can't hear you if you're still you're asking another question.

Speaker 6

Thank you, Brian.

Speaker 2

That was

Speaker 6

my only question.

Speaker 2

Okay. Thanks.

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Alex Nowak from Craig Hallum Capital Group. Your line is now open.

Speaker 6

Hi, good afternoon, everyone. This is Albert Hu on for Alex. So I have a question regarding And with the enrollment ramping and with you guys looking at other cancer indications, what additional investments And some talent and resources do you need to plan for?

Speaker 2

Sure. So we We closed the pipe transaction late last year that raised $100,000,000 and The intention of that pipe was to fund the VICTORIA-one study through data readout as well as to fund An early phase study in another tumor type. And the cost of an early phase study is relative certainly relatively very modest relative to a Phase 3 study And very modest in the scheme of things. And so the guidance we've provided about our cash runway has been through the end of 2025 and we're still confident that that's where we'll end up.

Speaker 6

Got you. Thank you. And as enrollment creeps higher, what sort of recruitment protocols Changes have you made or have you stuck to the same?

Speaker 2

I'm sorry, did you say recruitment Pro call? Protocols.

Speaker 5

Yes.

Speaker 2

Protocol. So no, the activity that we've started the study with and continuing and the overall approach To ensure patients are identified as early as possible, That's the site the trial's visibility at the site that patients are identified well in advance. That's been part of our strategy from day 1 and that's what we're sticking with and it's proven effective. We try to work as best we can with each of the sites to prescreen candidates or patients who are currently receiving CDK4six and those could be candidates for our study. We asked them to quantify that, so they actually we know that They've gone to their charts and identified patients.

Speaker 2

And then we try to monitor that to see if those numbers are changing. And that just helps us get a sense of the flow as well as whether or not the site is engaged. Each of our sites I get to visit every 2 weeks from a clinical research associate to monitor activities in this study, but also to assess Whether the study site is engaged overall and The recruitment activities are if everything is proceeding as should be. And so we feel like we have a very good footprint In the site, we're in regular contact. We separately establish contact and routine calls with the principal investigators at each of the sites.

Speaker 2

And so far, again, that's if you were to talk to People in this area, the engagement of the principal investigator plays a very, very significant role in how well the study Accrues at that site as well as the engagement of the study coordinator, who typically reports Either directly to the PI or to an organization. And so having those 2 individuals engaged It's critical and so those are among other things the people we try to pay a lot of attention To and keep track of and ensure that to the extent that if questions or things come up that we're able to respond as quickly as possible.

Speaker 6

Got you. And one last question here. So I believe you mentioned this briefly, but just to reiterate in the sites that Are live. What is the cadence of enrollment? And is it still tracking along well with your expectations?

Operator

Sure.

Speaker 2

Each site is different. Some sites are community sites, some sites are very large And some sites just are typically better at keeping track of patients and therefore getting them in the queue for screening to be considered to be evaluated as a potential candidate. And so each site will Yes. You'll have a distribution of results across the number of sites that you have. And it's not quite the eightytwenty rule, but you always have your A it's like anything in life, right?

Speaker 2

You'll have your A accounts, your B accounts and your C accounts. And you manage accordingly. And so we've To be frank, we're very pleased with the general level of activity at all the sites. So, so far so good.

Speaker 6

Thank you. That's all my questions.

Operator

There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call over to Brian Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead, sir.

Speaker 2

Well, thank you. We appreciate your Attending the call. Appreciate the questions and look forward to updating you in the future. Goodbye.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

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Earnings Conference Call
Celcuity Q2 2023
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