uniQure Announces Second Quarter 2019 Results and Highlights Recent Company Progress
July 29 2019 - 7:18AM
uniQure N.V. (NASDAQ: QURE), a leading gene therapy company
advancing transformative therapies for patients with severe medical
needs, today reported its financial results for the second quarter
of 2019 and highlighted recent progress across its business.
"In the second quarter of 2019, we continued to
make substantial progress across our pipeline. Patient enrollment
in our ongoing Phase III HOPE-B pivotal study of AMT-061 continues
to advance, and we remain on track to complete patient enrollment
by the end of this year,” stated Matt Kapusta, chief executive of
uniQure. “We are particularly encouraged by the Phase IIb data on
AMT-061 and the long-term Phase I/II data on our first-generation
AMT-060 presented earlier this month, which we believe demonstrate
the potential of AMT-061 to provide durable increases of FIX
activity into the normal range for people living with hemophilia B.
In addition, significant efforts and progress have been made to
initiate our Phase I/II study of AMT-130 in Huntington’s disease.
There is considerable patient and investigator enthusiasm for a
potential one-time administered treatment of this devastating
disease, and we look forward to our planned initiation of patient
dosing in this landmark study this year.”
Recent Company Progress
- Advancing late-stage development of AMT-061 for the
treatment of hemophilia B• Earlier this month,
the Company presented updated clinical data at the 2019 ISTH
conference demonstrating that a single administration of AMT-061
resulted in sustained increases in Factor IX (FIX) levels up to 54%
of normal, with a mean for the three patients in the Phase IIb
study of 45% of normal at 36 weeks post administration. No patient
experienced a material loss of FIX activity, reported any bleeding
events or required any infusion of FIX replacement therapy for
bleeds. • Patient recruitment and additional site
activations continue to advance for the ongoing HOPE-B pivotal
trial of AMT-061. The Company currently has 38 sites activated
across 9 countries and the study is expected to complete enrollment
this year.
- Advancing AMT-130 into clinical development for the
treatment of Huntington’s disease• The Company
continues to make significant progress in the preparation for its
dose-escalating, randomized and controlled Phase I/II clinical
study to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a one-time
treatment of AMT-130 in patients with Huntington’s disease. cGMP
clinical material has been manufactured at the Company’s
state-of-the-art Lexington facility and released for shipment.
Additionally, the Company has received approvals from multiple
Institutional Review Boards and patient identification activities
have begun. The Company expects to initiate clinical testing for
AMT-130 this year. • In May 2019, the US Patent and
Trademark office and European Patent Office granted claims covering
the RNA constructs specifically designed to target exon1 and the
embedding of these Huntington’s disease RNA sequences into the
miR451 scaffold, which is exclusively licensed to uniQure from Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). The claims also cover expression
cassettes comprising the RNA constructs and the use of gene therapy
vectors including AAV vectors encompassing the described expression
cassettes.
- Advancing robust pipeline of novel gene therapy
research programs • The Company presented
preclinical proof-of-concept data from multiple studies involving
AMT-180 for hemophilia A at the American Society of Gene and Cell
Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting in May 2019. A study in
FVIII-depleted human plasma demonstrated that AMT-180 induced
clinically relevant thrombin activation and up to 29% of Factor
VIII-independent activity. A separate study in hemophilia A mice
showed that a single intravenous administration of AMT-180 resulted
in sustained, dose-dependent hemostatic effect as measured by a
one-stage clotting assay. Additionally, a pilot study in non-human
primates demonstrated that a single administration of AMT-180
resulted in sufficient FIX protein expression that translates to
clinically relevant Factor VIII-independent activity in humans.
These studies further demonstrate that AMT-180 has activation
kinetics similar to native FIX, is not hyperactive and does not
lead to elevation of coagulation activation markers or signs of
thrombus formation. • Also, at the ASGCT conference the
Company presented preclinical data on AMT-190, its novel AAV5 gene
therapy candidate for Fabry disease that comprises a recombinant
AAV5 vector incorporating a proprietary, exclusively licensed,
modified NAGA (ModNAGA) variant. AMT-190 provides expression of
ModNAGA, which shows a high structural resemblance to α-gal. This
approach may have several advantages over α-gal therapies,
including higher stability in blood, better biodistribution in the
target organs, secondary toxic metabolite reduction and improved
cross-correction of neighboring cells. ModNAGA is also effective in
the presence of α-gal antibodies. Data from in
vitro and in vivo studies show that AMT-190 has the
potential to become a one-time treatment option that improves upon
the enzyme replacement standard of care with more efficient uptake
in the kidney and heart and an improved immunogenicity
profile.• At the 2019 American Academy of Neurology
(AAN) Annual Meeting, the Company presented preclinical data on
AMT-150 for the treatment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3).
The data featured at the conference demonstrated mechanistic
proof-of-concept of the non-allele-specific ataxin-3
protein-silencing approach by using artificial microRNA candidates
engineered to target the ataxin-3 gene in a SCA3 knock-in mouse
model. The proof-of-concept study demonstrated that a single
AMT-150 injection in the cerebrospinal fluid resulted in strong AAV
transduction and significant mutant ataxin-3 lowering at the
primary sites of disease neuropathology, the cerebellum (up to 53%)
and the brainstem (up to 65%).
Upcoming Investor Events
- Wells Fargo Corporate Access Day, July 30, 2019
- Citi’s 14th Annual Biotech Conference, September 4 - 5, 2019
- Wells Fargo 2019 Healthcare Conference, September 4 - 5,
2019
- Morgan Stanley 17th Annual Global Healthcare Conference,
September 9 - 11, 2019
Financial Highlights
Cash Position: As of June 30,
2019, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $184.1 million,
compared to $208.8 million as of March 31, 2019. The Company
currently expects cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to
fund operations into 2021.
Revenues: Revenue for the three
months ended June 30, 2019 was $2.5 million, compared to $3.1
million during the same period 2018. The decrease reflects the
October 2018 termination of the development of S100A1 under our
collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb.
R&D Expenses: Research and
development expenses were $24.2 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2019, compared to $18.5 million during the same period
2018. The change was primarily related to increased activities
associated with our ongoing clinical studies of AMT-061, the
planned Phase I/II study of AMT-130, increased share-based
compensation and the hiring of additional clinical and operations
staff at our Lexington site.
SG&A Expenses: Selling,
general and administrative expenses were $7.9 million for three
months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $5.9 million during the
same period 2018. The change was primarily related to increases in
personnel and consulting expenses, professional fees and
share-based compensation expenses.
Net Loss: The net loss for the
three months ended June 30, 2019 was $31.4 million, or $0.83 per
share, compared to $20.6 million, or $0.57 per share during the
same period 2018.
About uniQure uniQure is
delivering on the promise of gene therapy – single treatments with
potentially curative results. We are leveraging our modular and
validated technology platform to rapidly advance a pipeline of
proprietary gene therapies to treat patients with hemophilia B,
hemophilia A, Huntington's disease, Fabry disease, spinocerebellar
ataxia Type 3 and other diseases. www.uniQure.com
uniQure Forward-Looking
StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking
statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact
are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms
such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect,"
"goal," "intend," "look forward to", "may," "plan," "potential,"
"predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar
expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's
beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management
only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, the achievement of any
of our planned near term or other milestones, our ability to
provide further clinical updates on the Phase IIb study in 2019 or
at any time, our ability to complete enrollment in our pivotal
Phase III trial of AMT-061 this year or ever, the ability of
AMT-061 to provide durable increases of FIX activity into the
normal range for people living with hemophilia B, the risk of
cessation, delay or lack of success of any of our ongoing or
planned clinical studies, our ability to initiate dosing of a Phase
I/II study of AMT-130 this year or ever, our ability to open
additional clinical sites for the Phase I/II study in the United
States, and whether AMT-190 becomes a one-time treatment option,
improves upon the enzyme replacement standard of care, has more
efficient uptake in the kidney and heart, or has an improved
immunogenicity profile. Our actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many
reasons, including, without limitation, risks associated with our
clinical development activities, clinical results, collaboration
arrangements, regulatory oversight, product commercialization and
intellectual property claims, as well as the risks, uncertainties
and other factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" in
uniQure’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 29, 2019. Given
these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and we assume
no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if
new information becomes available in the future.
uniQure Contacts:
FOR INVESTORS: |
|
FOR MEDIA: |
|
|
|
Maria E. Cantor |
Eva M. Mulder |
Tom Malone |
Direct: 339-970-7536 |
Direct: +31 20 240 6103 |
Direct: 339-970-7558 |
Mobile: 617-680-9452 |
Mobile: +31 6 52 33 15 79 |
Mobile:339-223-8541 |
m.canto@uniQure.com |
e.mulder@uniQure.com |
t.malone@uniQure.com |
uniQure N.V.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
|
June 30, |
|
December 31, |
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
|
|
|
in thousands |
Current assets |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
184,095 |
|
$ |
234,898 |
Accounts receivable and accrued income from related party |
|
355 |
|
|
233 |
Prepaid expenses |
|
3,511 |
|
|
1,116 |
Other current assets |
|
580 |
|
|
329 |
Total current assets |
|
188,541 |
|
|
236,576 |
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of
$25.8 million as of June 30, 2019, and $22.9 million as of December
31, 2018, respectively. |
|
28,057 |
|
|
29,179 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
27,173 |
|
|
- |
Intangible assets, net |
|
5,864 |
|
|
5,201 |
Goodwill |
|
503 |
|
|
506 |
Restricted cash |
|
2,940 |
|
|
2,444 |
Total non-current
assets |
|
64,537 |
|
|
37,330 |
Total assets |
$ |
253,078 |
|
$ |
273,906 |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
4,523 |
|
$ |
3,792 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
7,366 |
|
|
8,232 |
Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
|
4,256 |
|
|
- |
Current portion of deferred rent |
|
- |
|
|
311 |
Current portion of deferred revenue |
|
7,223 |
|
|
7,634 |
Total current liabilities |
|
23,368 |
|
|
19,969 |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
35,784 |
|
|
35,471 |
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion |
|
31,870 |
|
|
- |
Deferred rent, net of current portion |
|
- |
|
|
8,761 |
Deferred revenue, net of current portion |
|
26,354 |
|
|
28,861 |
Derivative financial instruments related party |
|
3,251 |
|
|
803 |
Other non-current liabilities |
|
395 |
|
|
435 |
Total non-current liabilities |
|
97,654 |
|
|
74,331 |
Total liabilities |
$ |
121,022 |
|
$ |
94,300 |
Total shareholders' equity |
|
132,056 |
|
|
179,606 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ |
253,078 |
|
$ |
273,906 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
uniQure N.V.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
in thousands, except share and per share
amounts |
Total revenues |
$ |
2,474 |
|
|
$ |
3,050 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development expenses |
|
(24,154 |
) |
|
|
(18,493 |
) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
(7,870 |
) |
|
|
(5,896 |
) |
Total operating expenses |
|
(32,024 |
) |
|
|
(24,389 |
) |
Other income |
|
566 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
Other expense |
|
(347 |
) |
|
|
(429 |
) |
Loss from operations |
|
(29,331 |
) |
|
|
(21,203 |
) |
Non operating items, net |
|
(2,068 |
) |
|
|
972 |
|
Loss before income tax
expense |
|
(31,399 |
) |
|
|
(20,231 |
) |
Income tax expense |
|
- |
|
|
|
(361 |
) |
Net loss |
$ |
(31,399 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,592 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share |
$ |
(0.83 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.57 |
) |
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net
loss per ordinary share |
|
37,824,928 |
|
|
|
36,205,061 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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